FAIRBURY, Neb. -- Jefferson County honored its May Veteran of the Month Tuesday: David Lottman.

David Lottman grew up in Endicott but moved to Diller after his family purchased a restaurant. 

After completing grade school and working at the family business in Diller, Lottman worked for Rock Island Railroad before being drafted into the Army in June 1966, during the Vietnam War. 

Lottman trained in the Army and was placed on “In and Out” status as a clerk until June 1967 where he received orders to go to Vietnam. Lottman was stationed at Buc Pho just outside of Chu Lai, South Vietnam, where his duties included driving trucks, driving officers, burning fecal metal, and standing guard. 

The first several weeks of his time in Vietnam, he never saw a weapon but when he was driving to pick up an officer, he was caught in an enemy ambush. After that, he decided one less year in the Army seemed like a really good decision.

Lottman was released from active duty in May 1968 where he received multiple medals including the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his time in the service, Lottman went into the construction business. David and his brother-in-law bought into David’s brother’s business in 1975 where they did concrete work on buildings. 

They did concrete foundation and flat work for the Fairbury Wal-Mart, Marysville, Kansas Wal-Mart, and five other Wal-Mart stores in Missouri. 

The company grew to 150 employees including his son, Tim, who worked with him until 2016 when he semi-retired. 

Lottman was a life member of the American Legion and the VFW since 1968, was a Quilt of Valor recipient, served on the Jefferson County Veterans Committee and was a member of the American Legion Riders.

He was often found on his bike, honoring deceased veterans and their families, locally on the day of funerals. 

David died April 8, 2023, while in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. His wife of 55 years, Leana, and son, Tim, were in Fairbury to receive the honors for David on Tuesday.