Brian Edward Smith

Brian Edward Smith, aged 68 of Elkhorn, NE. Passed away on May 4, 2026. Born on April 24, 1958 in Geneva, Illinois to Edward and Olga (Podziabany) Smith. Brian was known for his sense of humor, compassion and involvement in his kids’ activities in which coaching baseball was a big part. He loved the Chicago Cubs and was a lifelong fan, especially excited to see them win the 2016 world series. Brian was very involved in school activities, which included playing trumpet in band and jazz band, the tennis team and team manager for the basketball team. During his high school years, Brian also became involved with Geneva ESDA (emergency services and disaster agency) where he was the weather officer. Part of his duties were to train weather spotters, which he continued with throughout his career. He graduated from Geneva H.S. in 1976 and continued his education at Northern Illinois University in De Kalb, Illinois. Earning his B.S. in meteorology in 1980 and spending many hours in the student weather office, honing his skills. He then studied and worked as a research meteorologist at University of Chicago under the guidance of Dr. T. Theodore Fujita, world renowned tornado expert and for whom the tornado F scale is named after. Brian earned his master’s degree in 1986. During this time, he gained a lot of knowledge and studied tornado climatology, learned how to conduct aerial and ground tornado damage surveys. On May 7, 1988 Brian and Paula were married and together they raised Colin (1989), Brendan (1991), Alec (1994), and Ian (1999). Shortly after their marriage, Brian received word that he had been hired for a meteorologist position in Kansas City, Missouri. Brian worked in the sels unit in Kansas City for 6 years and then was hired as the warning coordination meteorologist in Omaha (Valley). During his career he surveyed and mapped many tornados and downburst storms for which he received a bronze medal for superior federal service. The family traveled to Washington D.C. in 1998 to see Brian receive this prestigious award. Brian also was instrumental in starting a program at the Fermilab facility in Batavia, Illinois. He partnered with tom skilling, a WGN-Chicago TV weatherman and started a free weather seminar. They enlisted the help of many other meteorologists and experts to impart weather spotting information to the public for free. As the kids grew up and moved on in their careers, we were blessed with two Grandchildren Samuel and Eloise. Many memories were made in Seattle when Grandpa & Grandma went out to visit. We also welcomed Brendan’s wife, Rachel and granddog, Georgia who reside in Kansas City, Missouri. Along with a passion for the weather, Brian also loved trains and airplanes. Many a train museum and airshow was attended with the family. He also built a Lionel train layout in the basement and loved to build scale model airplanes and enjoyed the friendships he made in the Omaha IPMS Chapter (international plastic Modelers society). He continued playing the trumpet throughout his life and spent many hours playing along to Herb Alpert records. He was also a member of the Blair community band and jazz band. Brian is survived by his loving spouse of 38 years, Paula; Sons, Colin, Brendan, Alec, Ian and grandchildren, Samuel and Eloise Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward (Ted) and Olga Smith. His sister, Kathy and her husband, Paul Rhoads.

Brian Edward Smith

April 24, 1958 - May 4, 2026