Name: Jack Nitz, CAI

Year Inducted: 1997

Hometown: Fremont, Neb.

Birthday: June 5, 1936

Business Name: Jack Nitz & Assoc. Auctioneers Inc.

Business Location: Fremont, Neb.

Auctioneer Since: 1962

Specialty: real estate, business liquidations

Most Expensive Item Sold: As a joint venture with another auction firm, auctioned $8.1 worth of real estate.

Most Unusual Item Sold: A new casket for about $200.

Inspiration: Jack was in a partnership with his parents on a dairy farm. His father suddenly passed away in 1962. While Jack worked on the farm, he thought there must be something better than milking cows.

Something Others Might Not Know: His grandmother wanted him to be a Lutheran minister. His mother sent him to voice lessons to learn how to sing. Probably to prepare him to be a minister.

Auction Mishaps: Jack was conducting a farm equipment auction on a cold day in Skyler, Neb. There was a large crowd.

Family: Wife, Delores. Married for 52 years. Two children (Jennie and Jay) and both in the auction business. Four grandchildren. Granddaughter, Courtney, is an auctioneer and an asset to the company.