(Omaha, NE) -- Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert's husband Dr. Joe Stothert was found dead outside their southwest Omaha home Friday afternoon.
Omaha Police say officers were called to the home near 120th and Q just before 2:00 Friday afternoon and found a man dead. “The mayor is safe and no foul play is suspected,” OPD Officer Phil Anson said in a statement.
Dr. Joe Stothert and Mayor Stothert were married for 40 years and share two children and three grandchildren. Dr. Stothert served as a professor at University of Nebraska Medical Center and as a general surgeon at Nebraska Medicine.
A cause of death has not been released at this time.
The Stothert family released the following statement:
“It is with great sadness today that we share the tragic loss of Joe Stothert with family, friends, and our loving community. Joe’s dedication and affection for everyone he cared for serve as a bright light of human kindness for all of us to follow. Our family asks for your prayers at this very difficult time. We will need them. We also ask for privacy so our family may grieve and remember an extraordinary and caring husband, father and grandfather.”
Messages of support from many city, local and state leaders have been pouring in to remember Dr. Joe Stothert:
“Susanne and I are shocked and saddened by Joe’s tragic passing. From his service on the State Trauma Board to his work with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he devoted his life to serving others in the field of healthcare. We are praying for Joe, Jean, Elizabeth, Andrew, and the entire Stothert family during this difficult time.” - Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts
“We are heartbroken for the Mayor and her family and offer our prayers and support during this difficult time. Joe was an amazing friend and physician and he will be greatly missed.“ - Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon
“This is tragic. We know Joe as a husband, father, and grandfather, who served our communities through his work as a Doctor. Melissa and I join Nebraskans across our state in praying for Mayor Stothert and her family during this heartbreak.” - Nebraska U.S. Senator Ben Sasse
"I extend my deepest sympathy to Mayor Jean Stothert and her family for their loss of her husband Joe. Joe’s significant contribution to the Omaha medical community and his support for the City of Omaha will be greatly missed. Sandi and I share our prayers with the Mayor and her family." -Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson
"On behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, we send our most sincere condolences to MayorJeanStothert and her family during this very difficult time. The Stothert family is in our thoughts and prayers. Dr. Joe Stothert did a fantastic job serving as Douglas County’s 911 Communications Medical Director. He will be sorely missed." -Mary Ann Borgeson, Chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mayor Stothert and her family during this very sad time.” - Nebraska U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
"Councilmembers learned today about the tragic death of Mayor Jean Stothert's husband Joe. Councilmembers extend their deepest sympathies, condolences and prayers to the Mayor, her daughter Elizabeth, her son Andrew, and their families, for their profound loss. We on the City Council knew Dr. Stothert as a talented physician and trauma surgeon and a leader in the Omaha medical community. We knew him, too, as a supportive and caring individual. He was frequently present at the Mayor's events and his love for her and pride in her accomplishments was clearly evident. We will all miss him." - City Council President Chris Jerram
“I’ve just heard the tragic news regarding the passing of Dr. Joe Stothert, Mayor Jean Stothert’s husband. I would like to extend my and Aubrey’s sincerest condolences to the Mayor and her family during this difficult time. Though Mayor Stothert and I have found each other on the opposite sides of many issues facing the City of Omaha, I have always admired her family and their resolve over the years. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Stothert on a number of social occasions, and I always found him to be fiercely loyal and committed to his wife, the Mayor, and a devoted father to his children. There will never be another man quite like him. I hope his memory lives on in the lives of the Mayor and their children for years and years to come." - Vinny Palermo, Dist. 4 Omaha City Councilman
(Photo by WOWT 6 News)