Dean “Kent” Harvey, 75, of Scottsbluff, passed away Friday, March 13, 2020 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 16, 2020 at 10:30am at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Fr. Vince Parsons as Celebrant. Interment of ashes will take place at a later time. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials may be made in care of WNCC Foundation, Lied Scottsbluff Library Foundation, or Legacy of the Plains Museum. Online condolences may be made by viewing Dean’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfueralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Kent was born December 14, 1944 in Sutherland, NE to Dean W. and Zoe (Kirkpatrick) Harvey. Following his father’s death, Kent and his mother lived outside Campbell, NE on their farm. They later lived in Inavale, Palisade, York, Falls City and Parks, NE. Kent graduated from Parks High School in 1963. He earned his Bachelor of Social Science at Chadron State College in 1966 and his master’s degree in 1967. He completed his post-graduate work at Northern University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Kent met Karon Lee Nutter at Chadron State College in 1963. They were married in Chadron on May 21, 1966. To this union were born three wonderful children. Kent and Karon enjoyed going to summer school and traveling in the U.S. and abroad in the summer and after retirement. They visited 47 states, several European countries, Mexico, and Canada.
Kent began his teaching career in 1967 at Nebraska Western College in Scottsbluff (later renamed Western Nebraska Community College). From 1967 until hie retirement in 2003, Kent was a member of Kiwanis, The Elks, National Education Association, and the Nebraska State Education Association. He was a member of Rebecca Winter’s Genealogical Society, a board member of Panhandle Mental Health, board member of North Platte Valley Museum, and Vice-President of NSEA-Retired Teachers.
Kent is survived by his wife Karon; daughter Dea’ Charle’ “Kim” (Royce) Biegler of Gillette, WY; son Dustin “Kirk” Patrick (Brandie) Harvey of Firth, NE; daughter Denhal “Kif” (Nick) Corcoran of Mason, OH; grandchildren Nicole (Anthony) Mundekis, Levi Biegler, Austin Biegler, Mathew Harvey, Caitlyn Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Mallorie Harvey, Madelynn Corcoran and Joseph Corcoran; sister Hazel LaPorte; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Alma and Mike Johnson and Dennis and Jana Nutter; and numerous nieces and nephews.
