Powerful Life

Honoring an Arboretum ‘ambassador’

A newly planted Colorado blue spruce blends right in among the thousands of trees and shrubs at the OPPD Arboretum.

That’s probably just how Donnie Norwood would have wanted it.

OPPD Forestry personnel planted the silvery blue-green conifer in Norwood’s memory in mid-October. Norwood’s children,  Michael and Faith, attended, along with and a few current and retired OPPD employees who had the pleasure of working with him. Norwood’s wife, Ramona, was unable to attend but was provided a memorial brochure.

Norwood, who passed away in June 2024 at the age of 87, spent thousands of hours working at the arboretum after it opened to the public in 2004. The 26-acre site sits at 108^th & Blondo streets in Omaha.

“Donnie provided many years of valuable service to OPPD in his duties at the OPPD Arboretum,” said Mike Norris, senior utility forester. “His duties included not just grounds maintenance, tree work and general upkeep, but he was also a friendly fixture and ambassador to all the customers who visited the arboretum.”

This part-time role that had him working up to 30 hours a week came after a 40-year tree trimming career at Asplundh.

As the plantings in the arboretum flourished, Norwood was always among the handful of people credited for the beautiful site’s success.

“Many of the regulars would stop and visit with him on their daily walks though the arboretum,” Norris added.

‘A fitting legacy’

Norwood loved the outdoors, and he poured his heart and soul into the arboretum. He never sought any accolades for his efforts.

The memorial spruce tree sits along the sidewalk, just north of the gazebo.

“I used to tag along with him all the time when I was a little boy,” said son Michael Norwood. Michael works in OPPD’s Utility Operations business unit.

“It’s a fitting legacy,” he said of the tree-planting. “He loved yard work, and he loved trees.”