Durham sculpture unveiled

From left, Omaha artist John Lajba joins Debby Durham, Sunny Lundgren, Steve Durham, Lynne Boyer and UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., around the new statue of the late Charles “Chuck” Durham that sits between the Durham Research Center and the Durham Research Center II. Steve Durham, Debby Durham, Lundgren and Boyer are the children of Chuck Durham.

One of the highlights of Wednesday’s Durham Research Center II Dedication Ceremony was the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of the late Charles “Chuck” Durham — for whom both UNMC research towers were named.

Artist John Lajba created the piece to depict Durham — the former CEO and chairman of the engineering and architectural firm, HDR, Inc. — as he pauses to reflect on the creative potential of the researchers who inhabit the twin towers that bear his name.

“I want him to salute and challenge the researchers there,” Lajba said.

In the sculpture, Durham wears one of his best suits and most comfortable oxford shoes. His jewelry is simple, a flag pin adorns his lapel, an HDR clasp holds his tie in place and the emerald wedding ring, placed on his finger by his beloved late wife Margre, stays in place.

“I want him to salute and challenge the researchers there.” Artist John Lajba

The sculpture stands on a triangle base that opens toward the building.

“It opens to the vast expanse of knowledge,” Lajba said.

Lajba has been a professional artist since 1982. He has been commissioned for projects throughout the United States and around the world. His best known pieces locally are “Tribute to Caregivers” outside The Nebraska Medical Center’s Hixson-Lied Center, the “Road to Omaha” sculpture at Rosenblatt Stadium, the waiting passengers at the Durham Museum and the “World War II 50th Anniversary Heartland Memorial” at Heartland of America Park.

Nationally, Lajba was commissioned for the Dale Earnhardt piece outside of Daytona (Fla.) Motor Speedway; a near life-size figure of NBA star Vince Carter for Mainland High School in Daytona; a bust of Bob Hope for Bob Hope Village in Ft. Walton, Fla.; and a full-length bronze of aviation pioneer James “Jimmy” Doolittle for the Air Force Association in Arlington, Va. His sculptures also can be found in Japan and Poland.