Norris High School Alumni Association 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees

Lee Thurber	Sean Doolittle

Sean Doolittle is the author of four crime novels, including his most recent book titled The Cleanup, published this October.  His first novel, Dirt, was selected as one of the 100 Best Books of 2001 by the editors of Amazon.com.  His second book, Burn, won the gold medal in the mystery category of ForeWord Magazine's 2003 Book of the Year Award.  His short fiction has appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories and elsewhere, and he has published various non-fiction articles for magazines and newspapers.

Sean was born and raised in the Norris school district, where many teachers and coaches helped keep him ore or less on the beam until he graduated in 1989.  Two teachers in particular - Ruby Russell and the late Ed Baker - had a particular influence, encouraging Sean's love of books and laying the groundwork for his career as a writer.

Sean's parents, Lynn and Carol, still live two miles southwest of Roca in the house where Sean grew up.  His sister, Jill, also a Norris graduate, lives in Lincoln with her husband, where she works as an Emergency Room nurse.  Sean currently live in Omaha with yet another Norris grad, former Jessica Zinger.  They have a five year old daughter and a year and a half old son.

Lee Thurber

Valedictorian of his 1990 Norris High School class, Dr. Lee Thurber received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995, graduating with highest distinction and as a Chancellor's Scholar for obtaining a 4.0 grade point average. During his undergraduate years, he served a one-year term as the Nebraska State FFA President and also took a twelve-month leave of absence from the university to serve as National FFA President, traveling to over 40 states and delivering hundreds of presentations promoting agriculture and education to youth, government leaders, and businesses. Upon returning to campus, he served as president of FarmHouse fraternity and president of the Innocents Society, the Nebraska Chancellor's prestigious honor society. 

Dr. Thurber enrolled in medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1996 and received his medical degree in 2000, graduating with distinction, including being inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the prestigious national medical honor society. During medical school, he became fascinated with the human eye and its relationship to systemic disease. Following a one-year internship in internal medicine at University Hospital in Omaha, Dr. Thurber relocated to San Antonio, Texas in 2001 for subspecialty training in ophthalmology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In the summer of 2004, he completed a three-year residency program, specializing in the medical and surgical management of eye diseases. His education included detailed training in cataract surgery, eye trauma, and diabetic eye disease, including caring for patients at the Texas Diabetes Institute. 

Dr. Thurber returned to Nebraska in 2004 to start his ophthalmology practice in conjunction with Ophthalmology Associates in Lincoln. He currently enjoys an active medical practice, providing comprehensive eye care with emphasis in cataract surgery. He also performs laser procedures for diabetes, glaucoma, and performs numerous in-office minor surgeries for eyelids and ocular surface disorders. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

In his spare time, Dr. Thurber enjoys golf, sports, and playing music. He and his wife, Heidi, also a University of Nebraska graduate, reside in Lincoln and have two sons, Logan and Carson.