(Veteran Flag) (Photo)

Russell Z. Mundorf, 91, of Lincoln died Monday, Dec. 27, 2009.

He was born Dec. 11, 1918, in Blair to Edison and Edna (Greno) Mundorf. He was a U.S. Air Force World War II veteran with the 8th Air Force Division. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 131, American Legion Post 3 and Moose Lodge 175.

Russell was initiated February 1947 into Local Union No. 265, IBEW, Lincoln. He served on the apprenticeship committee as chairman, vice president, president and executive board, negotiating committee, delegate to the AFL-CIO Conventions, delegate to the International Conventions, delegate to the Lincoln Building and Construction Trades Council, and was president of the Trades Council.

He was appointed assistant business manager in 1950 and elected as full-time business manager of Local Union No. 265 in 1952. During the next 14 years as business manager, Local Union No. 265 expanded the jurisdiction to include the area of Grand Island, Hastings, North Platte and Scottsbluff.

Some of his community involvement included serving as a laborers representative on the Nebraska Appeals Tribunal relative to appeals from the employees that were not satisfied with a decision of the Nebraska Unemployment Department. He participated in food drives to assist other local unions on strike or having other difficulties.

He served as a lobbyist for labor at the Nebraska Legislature on several occasions. His awards and other types of recognition included being awarded with the Richard L. Nolan Memorial Service Award from the Nebraska Utility Workers Conference, recognition from the Nebraska State AFL-CIO for many contributions as a union member and past executive board member 1959 through 1962 and 1966. He was recognized by the Central Labor Union as a valued union representative and presented with the Hal Bauer Labor Leader of the year award. He received a memento from the R.C.A. Corporation for having represented the I.B.E.W. when a national agreement was negotiated. He was presented a letter from the Presidents Missile Site Commission for having served on the committees that negotiated agreements and provided man power for the project.

During his 14 years as business manager of Local Union No. 265, IBEW, the jurisdiction expanded to include most of the counties in Nebraska. Local Union No. 265 was the first local union to build their own Union Hall. In 1955, the first building was built and in 1958 the apprenticeship and training addition was built. During this period of time, the membership grew and new contracts were negotiated with the employers.

Local Union No. 265 joined forces with the electrical contractors and was involved in new city ordinances that established the electrical contractors licenses and electrician classification in the City of Lincoln.

In 1954 at the International Convention in Chicago, he was appointed by the president of the IBEW to escort George Meany, president, A.F.L., to the Convention Hall. Taking place was the Square D strike and the Whittier Cable strike. Some 800 women were involved in a long bitter strike along with many organizing campaigns, the Zenith Plant at Springfield, Mo., and the Black Hills Light and Power that was finally organized. Many other organizing efforts were brought to satisfactory conclusions.

In addition to the above achievements, Mundorf received the John F. Kennedy Presidential Award during the 1960s. He was a 60-year member of I.B.E.W. 265.

He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

Survivors include: a daughter, Elizabeth J. Rhine of Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law, Edward L. and Denise Mundorf of Bennet; granddaughter, Elizabeth Chadwick of New York City; grandson, Jon B. Rhine of San Francisco; grandson and spouse, Matthew and Patricia Mundorf of Lincoln; granddaughter and spouse, Rebecca and Dan Virgillito of Lincoln; grandson, Robert J. Mundorf of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Christin, Stephanie, Audrey and Sarah; daughter-in-law, Doris Mundorf of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Marie Watson of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and niece, Joyce Watson of Santa Rosa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marie; son, Russell James; and grandson, Russell Todd.

The funeral was today at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Burial was in Lincoln Memorial Park.

Memorials are suggested to People’s City Mission.

Condolences may be sent at www.lincolnfh.com

Omaha World Herald 3 Jan 2009

World War 2 U.S. Air Force written on obituary.

The same as above except the following:

SERVICES 12:30 pm, Monday, Jan 4, 2010, Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 South 14th Street. VISITATION Sunday 10 am-7 pm with family greeting friends 3-5 pm. Interment Lincoln Memorial Park. Memorials to People’s City Mission.

Condolences www.lincolnfh.com Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512-2311

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~