Frank Nestor "Nes" Latenser (1925-2006), Engineer

Omaha, Nebraska, 1948-1978

Born in 1925, Nes Latenser was a member of the third generation of Latenser architests and engineers in America. The son of architect Frank J. Latenser, he joined the firm of Latenser & Sons in 1948 as a draftsman. In 1950, after passing his exams in structural engineering, he assumed a role of engineer with the firm.

Latenser was active in the historic preservation movement as a founding member of Landmarks, Inc., in Omaha, and a board member of the Nebraska State Historical Society. In the 1960s he worked, unsuccessfully, to preserve the old Omaha Post Office Building, which his grandfather, John L. Latenser superintended as one of his first Omaha jobs.[3] In 1966 he became the third president of John Latenser & Sons. He died June 2, 2006.[1][2][3]

Omaha National Bank Satellite Facility aka “Cupcake Bank” (1968), (Lynn Meyer)

This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.

Lineage of John Latenser’s Sons

1. John L. Latenser (1858-1936), Architect (John L. Latenser, 1885-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1936)

2. John Latenser, Jr. (1888-1978), Architect and Engineer (John L. Latenser, 1912-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1970)

3. John F. Latenser, MD

3. William Banks Latenser (1926-____), Architect (Latenser & Sons, 1953-1978, and Latenser & Associates, 1978-1997)

4. William B. Latenser, Jr.

4. Robert L. Latenser

4. Paul Miller Latenser, Architect (other Omaha firms, ca. 1987-2000+)

4. Matthew A. Latenser

2. Frank J. Latenser (1890-1973), Architect (John L. Latenser, 1913-1914, and Latenser & Sons, 1915-1973)

3. James Seymour Latenser, Engineer (Latenser & Sons, 1949-1956)

3. Frank Nestor “Nes” Latenser (1925-2006), Engineer (Latenser & Sons, 1948-1978)

2. George Latenser (1903-1940), Builder (With Latenser & Sons, 1929-1932; independent builder thereafter.)

Educational & Professional Associations

____: graduate, U. S. Navy accelerated engineering degree, Iowa State College.[3]

____: served, U. S. Navy, in Hawaii.[3]

____: graduate studies in city planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3]

____: graduate studies in city planning, Notre Dame University.[3]

1948-1951: draftsman, John Latenser & Sons, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

1950: Registered Professional Engineer (Structural), Nebraska, E-1135; December 16, 1950.[1][2]

1951-1978: engineer, John Latenser & Sons, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.

1966-1978: president, John Latenser & Sons, Architects, Omaha, Nebraska.[3]

1978: License expired, December 31, 1978.[2]

2006: Died, Omaha, Nebraska.

Principal Works

All of Frank "Nes" Latenser’s work was performed on behalf of the firm, John Latenser & Sons.

Omaha National Bank Satellite Facility aka “Cupcake Bank” (1968), 1818 Dodge, Omaha, Nebraska.[4] (DO09:0126-025)

W. Dale Clark Library.[3]

Physicians Clinic.[3]

Booth Memorial Hospital.[3]

Eppley Cancer Institute.[3]

St. Francis Cabrini Convent.[3]

Doctors Building.[3]

Northern Natural Gass Building.[3]

Applied Arts Building, Omaha University.[3]

Uta Halee Girls Village, 3017 Mormon St, Omaha, Nebraska.[3]

Bryan Junior High School.[3]

References

1. “Searchable Roster of Licensees: Former Licensees,” Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects, CD, 2003.

2. State of Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects website, Professional license results for Frank N. Latenser: http://www.ea.ne.gov/search/search.php?page=details&lic=E1135 Accessed December 17, 2013.

3. Jane Palmer, “Architect Latenser appreciated history,” Morning World-Herald (June 15, 2006).

4. George Haecker to David Murphy, Personal Correspondence (2017).

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Page Citation

D. Murphy, “Frank Nestor "Nes" Latenser (1925-2006), Engineer,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, October 16, 2018. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, April 19, 2024.

Contact the Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office with questions or comments concerning this page, including any problems you may have with broken links (see, however, the Disclaimers link at the bottom of this page). Please provide the URL to this page with your inquiry.