Carson won respect with common touch

Although he rose to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, Johnny Carson kept the common touch, reaching out to millions with his easy manner and good humor. As shown by the tributes which dominated the airways after his death, Johnny was among the best-loved comedians of all time, winning respect for the classic characters he created and the many stand-up comics he started on the road to success.

Johnny will always have a special spot in the hearts of Nebraskans. He never forgot the place he grew up, sharing millions of his wealth for projects in Norfolk and at the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Don Blank of McCook, a former member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, had high praise for Carson, saying he agrees with David Letterman when he says, "Carson was one of a kind. No one will ever take his place."

Blank was a member of the Board of Regents when Carson made two large gifts: one for $5.3 million to renovate and expand the Temple Building, and the other for a portion of the $20 million for the Lied Center for the Performing Arts at UN-L.

"He will not only be remembered as a comedian, but as a philanthropist who never lost his midwestern flavor," Blank said. "We are grateful for all that he did."

Blank never personally met Carson, but came close. Once, when Carson was attending a University of Nebraska football game, Blank was only feet away from Carson, who was seated in the chancellor's box. Earlier, Blank attended one of the "Tonight" shows when Carson was still filming in New York.

But, whether we met Carson or not, millions of us in America felt that we knew him. After watching him countless time on television, he became as familiar to us as our next door neighbor.

We will miss Johnny Carson, especially in Nebraska. He started in the Cornhusker State as a young magician, and went on to host an early-day television show in Omaha before rising to national fame.

Carson's classic clips will live on in our minds. He was a gifted comedian and a giving person who brought great honor to the state where he grew up.