BELLEVUE, Neb. (KMTV) — COVID-19 has taken the lives of many people in our communities. One of the latest was a beloved member of the Bellevue community.
Frank Kumor, a member of the Bellevue School Board and an area businessman, passed away Friday from complications of COVID-19. He was 71 years old.
The school district remembered his contributions in a tweet on Saturday. Kumor had served on the Bellevue School Board since 2002.
We have lost a great member of #TeamBPS that unconditionally supported & appreciated every student & staff member. BPS & the Bellevue/Offutt Community are better places because of Mr. Kumor. We will miss him terribly.
— Bellevue Public Schools (@BellevueSchools) December 5, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kumor family. https://t.co/Dm2p8EhHp6
Kumor was also the longtime owner of Erwin's Jewelers in Olde Towne Bellevue. Kumor owned Erwin's since 1989 and worked there since 1975.
The business posted on Facebook on November 19 that its entire staff contracted COVID and the store would be temporarily closed as a result.
Flowers and notes were left near Erwin's this weekend after news of Kumor's passing began to spread. One note said, “On behalf of the people of Bellevue - especially the children - thank you Frank Kumor. Be at peace.”
Kumor also made contributions as part of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, the Olde Towne Task Force, and served as president of the Olde Town Merchant’s Association.
"He was part of everything from organizing the Christmas light displays to making sure the trash cans along Mission Avenue were emptied," read an obituary posted by his son Brent on Facebook. "He believed in giving back to the community that had given him so much."
There has been an outpouring of love for Kumor on social media from friends and colleagues, including a touching post from Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike. He had known Kumor for nearly 40 years and called him the "Jewel of Bellevue."
"Some say that everyone is replaceable - I say not true. You made me and a lot of others better people," Hike's post read.
The Bellevue Police Department also remembered the community pillar. The department wrote on Facebook that "his generosity and kind heart should be an example to all. While he will be greatly missed, we are grateful for Frank and the impact he made in our community."
In a Facebook post, Kumor's son Andrew wrote his dad's "legacy will live on through the generations. My children will hear of your generosity, compassion, love, and wisdom."
There will also be a moment of silence for Kumor during Monday's Bellevue School Board meeting. A scholarship fund in his name is in the works.
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