Thomas Lee Kaspar (1951-2017), Architect

Lincoln, Nebraska, 1985-2011

Thomas Kaspar (Courtesy photo)

Thomas Lee Kaspar was born on October 23, 1951 in Wahoo, Nebraska to parents Max and Emily Krivanek Kaspar. Tom Kaspar graduated from Milford Trade School in 1972, after which he became a draftsman with the firm of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, in Lincoln. In 1977, he commenced preservation work on the Nebraska State Capitol with the State Building Division, later the Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission. He became a registered professional architect in Nebraska on October 25, 1985.[1] Kaspar spent 40 years in architectural service to the Nebraska Capitol and its preservation and restoration. His work involved seeking out original wood furnishings, documents, lighting fixtures, drawings, and furniture that had been removed from the capitol over the decades.[3] He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, and the First Lutheran Church in Lincoln. He was married to his wife Donice with whom he had a son and a daughter. Tom Kaspar passed away on March 4, 2017 in Lincoln. [4][5]

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings

Lincoln, Nebraska, 1985-2011

Educational & Professional Associations

1972: graduated Milford Trade School – Southeast Community College, Milford, Nebraska.[5]

1972-1977: draftsman, Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska.[2]

1977-2017: architect, State Building Division – Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska.

1985: Registered Professional Architect, Nebraska, A-1913; October 25, 1985.[1]

Principal Works

Tom Kaspar, comp. Inventory of architectural records in the archives of Davis Fenton Stange Darling, Architects, Lincoln, Nebraska. 1996. Nebraska State Historical Society, RG3748, Box 16.

Rescue and restoration of original Capitol furnishings and fixtures, (Ongoing), Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3]

Established and organized the Nebraska Capitol Archives, (Ongoing), Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3]

References

1. Nebraska State Board of Engineers and Architects Website <http://www.ea.state.ne.us/search/search.cgi> [20030401].

2. Kaspar, Thomas, email to D. Murphy, May 5, 2003.

3. Architect 'actively engaged' in restoration of Nebraska State Capitol dies at 65, Omaha World-Herald (March 10, 2017), accessed online at http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/architect-actively-engaged-in-restoration-of-nebraska-state-capitol-dies/article_4fdd54f9-d7f3-5654-935c-cc0f271611fa.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

4. Matthew G. Hansen, Obituary for Tom Kaspar, Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission (March 7, 2017).

5. Thomas Lee Kaspar, [Pamphlet from Memorial Service] (March 10, 2017).

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Page Citation

D. Murphy, “Thomas Lee Kaspar (1951-2017), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, March 29, 2017. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 1, 2025.

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