Ben Lenagh had found his calling.
After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in just three years, Lenagh was drawn to education and was in the accelerated teacher preparation program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
He “knew what he wanted to do in life,” his brother, Jason Lenagh, told the Omaha World-Herald.
“He was so happy. He knew who he was,” Jason Lenagh said.
Ben Lenagh, 23, was one of six people who died in the Oct. 2 crash near 56th and Randolph streets in Lincoln.
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Benjamin Lenagh
He graduated from Millard North High School and was working on a master’s degree at UNO. He was set to graduate in the coming year.
At the time, he was teaching at Westside High School in Omaha. A statement the school sent Monday to Westside families said Lenagh had been working with three Westside teachers.
Westside added that counselors were available for students.
“We shared this news in person with your student this morning, making brief announcements in our business classes where Mr. Lenagh assisted,” the statement said.
In addition to Jason Lenagh, Lenagh’s survivors include his parents, Ed and Mary Ann Lenagh; brothers Matthew, Zachary and Jacob Lenagh; and his grandmother, Helen Lenagh.
Ben Lenagh loved sports, especially playing basketball with his brothers. He was often credited with having the best shot on the family team, Jason Lenagh told the World-Herald.
Other interests included video games, singing, dancing and watching anime videos.
Jason Lenagh said his brother always ended phone calls by saying “I love you.”
“He just had fun,” his brother said. “He just brought joy to everybody.”
Top Journal Star photos for October
The basketball courts at Antelope Park went from gray to filled with color this fall. The project to resurface the courts at Normal Boulevard and South Street and repaint them as a reproduction of the painting "Red Sea" by African American artist Felrath Hines was funded by private donations. The original painting is part of the permanent collection of the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird gives the state of the city address on Oct. 4.
Lincoln East's Gabby Pace (center left) and Kooper Barnes (center right) dance as part of the Spartans' pregame routine before an A-5 district game Wednesday at Doris Bair Complex.
Nebraska interim defensive coordinator Bill Busch celebrates after the team made a stop against Indiana on Oct. 1 at Memorial Stadium.
Johnson-Brock industrial technology teacher Ashton Bohling is one of 20 nationwide winners of the 2022 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.
Nebraska's Marcus Washington breaks a tackle from Indiana's Bryant Fitzgerald (31) in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Flowers ring a tree on Randolph Street where six people died in a car crash Oct. 2.
Nebraska's Malcolm Hartzog (13) and Nebraska wide receiver Ty Hahn (17) celebrate after Hartzog scooped up a blocked punt for a touchdown on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
A farmer uses a corn combine to harvest his crop on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Johnson, NE. Based on June 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2022 winter wheat crop is forecast at 36.9 million bushels, down 10% from last year's crop, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Elkhorn South's Ellen Bode drives the ball off the 16th tee during the girls class A district golf match on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln.
Nebraska's Casey Thompson (left) celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown with teammate Chancellor Brewington during the game against Indiana on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Lincoln Southeast's Camden Hjermstad hits a ball during the Heartland Athletic Conference championships at Woods Tennis Center.
Lead teacher Jazi Hudnall (center) plays with children (from left) Goamar Gony, Cha'Ziye West, Gloria Retana, Grace Dounda, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Community Action K Street Head Start Center in Lincoln.
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen moderates a hearing on the voter ID initiative, Tuesday at the state Capitol.
Elkhorn South's Kennadi Borngrebe (top left) celebrates with her teammates after the Storm defeated Lincoln East in a Class A state softball game Thursday at Bill Smith Complex in Hastings.
Lyla Hardrick, 5, of Lincoln, swings to hit a ball during More is Possible Rally, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. The outdoor sporting event featured Huskers players, coaches, and alumni to celebrate the 50 anniversary of Title IX.
Malcolm's Hayden Frank (center) stretches into the Lincoln Lutheran endzone to score a touchdown during the third quarter on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at Malcolm Public Schools in Malcolm.
Lincoln East reacts as Madison Adams (19) runs home after hitting one of the 18 homers hit by the Spartans in three district games this week. East beat Columbus 12-0 to win the A-6 district Thursday at Doris Bair Complex.
Lincoln High's Dane Mentore (right) tackles Lincoln East's Dash Bauman (6) during the first half Thursday at Seacrest Field.
Gabriel Wilhelm, 9, closes his ears as the Lincoln Pius X band plays before Friday's game against Waverly at Aldrich Field.
Justine Bassen of Lincoln directs signs toward passing motorists during the Lincoln Women's March on Saturday.
Best of Big Red general manager Joey Rupp poses for a photo with the new foam Cornhead hat Wednesday.
Ashland-Greenwood's Nathan Upton tries to bring down Omaha Roncalli's Wyatt Yetter on runs in the fourth quarter on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Ashland-Greenwood High School in Ashland.
A section of the the Deadman's run watershed which snakes past the Hansen-Mueller grain silos in Northeast Lincoln is photographed by a drone on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at in Lincoln. Over the past 20 years, the city and Lower Platte NRD have created master plans to manage flood risk, stream stability and water quality in 14 watersheds in and around Lincoln. A proposed comprehensive master plan updates and combines all those plans, which include long-awaited work on Deadmans Run. City voters approved a bond issue that will help pay for the work to widen nearly 1 1/2 miles of the main channel in north Lincoln, replace bridges and build a stormwater basin.
Lincoln East celebrates after the final point of the second set against Lincoln North Star during a HAC Tournament game Tuesday at East.
During the pandemic, the Rev. Allan Phan of Sacred Heart Church in Crete began speaking to his parishioners through his "Devotions with Daisy" blog on Facebook. The videos of he and his dog have been popular among congregants.
McCook's Evan Humphrey (left) embraces Lincoln Michaelis after winning the Class B No. 1 doubles title on Friday at Woods Tennis Center.
Lincoln Southwest players celebrate after scoring against Lincoln East on Oct. 10 at East High School.
Lincoln Pius X's Nicole Kolbas (middle) reacts after completing the 18th hole at the state girls golf tournament Tuesday at Norfolk Country Club. Kolbas shot a 36-hole 151 to win the tournament for the third consecutive year.
