A Celebration of Life for Lloyd "Lee" Underbrink, age 85, will be held Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Casper Country Club from 2:00-3:00pm.
He was born February 16, 1930 at Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the son of Lloyd Lester and Susie (Holden) Underbrink. He was raised in Scottsbluff valley and graduated from Gering High School, Scottsbluff Junior College (now Western Nebraska), and the University of Nebraska. He served in the 101st Screaming Eagles during the Korean War and attended graduate school at the University of Denver after the conflict. Lee married Marilyn Spahn of Scottsbluff on June 7, 1951. While still in high school he began part time work for Masek Auto Supply Co. in Gering, Nebraska and worked at Masek's until 1990. He was transferred to this company's Casper store in 1956 and was President of this firm's Masek Sports Division at the time of his death.
He went through the scouting organization from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout to Scoutmaster while in Nebraska.
In semi-retirement he was well known as an amateur historian specializing in Wyoming and Western Trails History. He was a charter member and two term National Director of the Oregon-California-Trails Association. He was awarded this associations highest award the "Meritorious Achievement Award". He was a past President of the Natrona County Historical Society and a lifetime member of the Wyoming State Historical Society. The State Society awarded him the "L.C. Bishop Award" for his involvement in preserving Wyoming's history and "The Cumulative Achievement" award for his long dedication to history. One of his joys was leading thousands over the Oregon Trail Road to Martin's Cove and to other trail sites. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of history with others. He wrote many articles on Wyoming History for the Casper Journal. He enjoyed playing bridge and traveling throughout the world.
Lee was a western history book collector and had an excellent personal library. He was active in the exhibit and design committee of The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. His other interests included photography and he was a long time member of the Casper Photography Association.
His wife Marilyn, his parents, a brother and a sister preceded him in death. He leaves behind his daughter, Laurel Walton, sons Scott and David, five grandchildren and his traveling partner Butch Okes. The family would appreciate memorial contributions in his name to The National Historic Trails Center Foundation.
His friends and family will miss his good cheer and energy!
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