In his later years, Ervin Dixon spent many hours in Nebraska City parks collecting acorns. Once home with his haul, he would start the seeds in containers.
He knew he would never be able to enjoy the shade of the established trees, but Dixon likely would not have been concerned with that, according to his children.
Dixon, known better as “Brub” to his family and friends, led a life that unfolded largely behind the scenes. He would not have had it any other way.
“He was never one to want to be the center of attention,” said his daughter, Leslie West. “He just wanted to help people.”
Brub grew up in Bancroft, a 20-minute drive from West Point, where he was born in 1942. After graduating from Bancroft High School, he served with distinction in an Army artillery outfit stationed in Germany. He returned stateside and earned a welding degree from Southeast Community College in Milford. The family moved to Nebraska City in 1978. Dixon would spend the rest of his life in the Otoe County community. He died in September 2024.
Now his children, Leslie West of Lincoln and Lance Dixon of Papillion, are remembering their father—his love of education, his vision for the future, and his commitment to working people.
An avid learner, Ervin could’ve followed many career paths.
“He could’ve done anything he wanted,” said Lance Dixon, his son. “He was plenty smart enough.”
He dabbled in a few fields before finding purpose in the trades. He became part owner of Nebraska Power Service, using his welding talent to install and maintain engines in power plants. He took pride in knowing his work helped communities operate smoothly.
“He thought those were the people that move things,” West said. “The plumbers, the welders, and the electricians. They are the ones that keep the economy going and sustained.”
Brub also felt a responsibility to help others. He knew he wouldn’t have been able to obtain his degree without the financial assistance included in the GI Bill. He wanted to offer the same aid to others, so he established a scholarship through the Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund (NCCFF) in 2024 with the aim of helping more students (both traditional and non-traditional) enter the trades. The Dixon Scholarship is specifically designed for Nebraska City students or workers of any age pursuing careers in technical fields such as agriculture, skilled trades and technical sciences, health care, manufacturing, and transportation.
Dixon established the scholarship with qualified charitable distributions (QCD) from his individual retirement account. A QCD allows taxpayers to possibly take an above-the-line deduction for charitable gifts, reduce taxable required minimum distribution now and in future, and gift an asset that heirs would be taxed on. Every donor’s situation is different and requires thorough examination before taking action, said Scott VanderVeen, a Nebraska City-based CPA who worked with Dixon on the gift.
“The scholarship will help fill a need for those talents in our area,” he said. “We have a current shortage due to retirement of longtime tradesmen in our community. The fund is designed and projected to award annual scholarships while growing to keep up with inflation on a perpetual basis.”
Dixon was a lifetime learner who highly valued education. He often said that many in things in life could be taken from you: your home, your car, your job – but never education. If you had an education, you could bounce back from any hardship.
“That’s the foundation for everything else,” Lance said.
For Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund volunteers, education is the foundation for a strong community. Since its establishment in 2000, NCCFF has prioritized investing in the people of Nebraska City. The Fund has awarded $126,750 in non-traditional scholarships throughout its history, with a preference given to those who will stay and work in the community. Dixon’s scholarships must be awarded to recipients who intend to stay in Nebraska.
That preference for students who plan to live and work in Nebraska reflects Dixon’s concern with what is now commonly called “brain drain.” It’s an issue the Nebraska Community Foundation network is focused on as well. Youth surveys show young Nebraskans prefer smaller communities, but they also show that these students aren’t sure if there are careers for them in such communities. Dixon’s scholarship is one tool among many to address the issue of young people leaving the state.
“I think part of his scholarship is to hopefully, in some way, reduce that brain drain,” Lance said.
The first Dixon Scholarship recipients were announced in June 2024, and three more were named in September. One recipient, a 2013 graduate of Lourdes Central Catholic High School, is studying to become an electrician at Southeast Community College in Milford.
“I am truly grateful to be chosen for this scholarship,” said Nathanial John Stukenholtz. “Having this scholarship has helped relieve some of my stress for paying my bills and fees for school and allows me to focus more on my education.”
Both Leslie and Lance plan to continue contributing to the Dixon Scholarship, increasing its impact on Nebraska City and beyond.
“Education moves people, cities, states, societies, economies,” Lance said. “It moves all of that forward, but it starts locally and goes from there.”
Their father’s fingerprints are among the many making Greater Nebraska a place people want to live, work, and play for generations to come. Brub may not be able to see his work fully grown, but his vision will benefit Nebraskans long into the future.
“He would’ve been proud of the legacy that he left behind,” Lance said. “That he is able to help in someone else’s journey in life.”
NCF’s “Inspiring Generosity” storytelling series is lifting up the extraordinary kindness of Nebraskans who love their hometowns. As 2024 comes to a close, we ask you to consider a gift through Nebraska Community Foundation to benefit the community or cause nearest to your heart.
Visit www.nebcommfound.org/give to make your year-end contribution today. Remember, non-cash assets such as charitable IRA rollovers, appreciated securities, ag commodities, and real estate are a great (and often tax-wise) option to make an even greater impact. Contact Todd Mekelburg at 402.323.7343 or tmekelburg@nebcommfound.org to learn more.
