Kimball Women's Basketball Scholarship

Judy Kimball was raised on the “Robb Ranch” in Lexington, Nebraska, where she spent her childhood helping her family raise Angus cattle and farm alongside her siblings, Jane and Joe. She has fond memories of riding her horse, "Marty," and enjoying the outdoors, where she learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. After high school, Judy pursued a career in nursing by enrolling in Lincoln General Hospital’s RN program in 1950, a rigorous three-year program at the time. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Nebraska.
After graduating, Judy moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she began a fulfilling seven-year career as a school nurse. It was in Phoenix that Judy met the love of her life, Dr. Noah Curtis Kimball.
Curt, as he was known, grew up on a family farm in Canton, Oklahoma, where he participated in sports, 4-H, and FFA. Though he worked hard on the farm—chopping cotton and babysitting his sister, Karen—Curt dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot like his two older brothers. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class of 18, Curt completed two years at Southwestern Oklahoma State University to meet the eligibility requirements for the Air Force cadet program. However, with the increasing demand for engineers and scientists due to the space race, Curt shifted his focus and decided to pursue aeronautical engineering. Ultimately, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma but soon found engineering too difficult and, as he later put it, "naively decided to study medicine." He was accepted into medical school and graduated in 1963.
Curt began his residency in Phoenix, where he met Judy, and they were married in August 1964. Shortly after their marriage, Curt was drafted into the army and served as a doctor in Vietnam. He achieved the rank of Captain and earned the Bronze Star for his service. After spending a year near Saigon, Curt was called to assist in developing a military hospital in Yokohama, Japan. Judy joined him there, teaching herself Japanese with the help of a little red pocket dictionary—a skill she still retains.
After the war, Curt and Judy returned to Phoenix, where Curt completed his five-year surgical residency, and Judy returned to her role as a school nurse. In 1970, Curt and Judy moved to Sterling, Colorado, where Curt joined Dr. James H. McKnight Jr. in his medical practice. Curt would spend the next 42 years serving the Northeastern Colorado community with excellence, continually improving his skills and often purchasing equipment to provide the best care possible. His practice was known not just for medical expertise but for compassion, humor, and personal care. Through delivering babies (with at least one baby being named Noah Curtis) and comforting the families of terminal patients. He would remind his patients that “We all have a start date and an end date.”
Judy chose to stay home and care for their only child, Kirsti, during these years, becoming deeply involved in her school and community. She and Curt  founded the Sweet Adelines choir and the Centennial State Barbershop chorus in Sterling, continuing their shared love of music. Their marriage has been a partnership built on love, laughter, travel, church involvement, tennis, and mutual service. Curt often said, “Marrying Judy was the best decision I ever made.” During their 58 years of marriage, the only time they would be at opposite ends of the house was during the Nebraska Oklahoma football games.
In the early 2000s, Judy and Curt began their philanthropic support of Northeastern Junior College (NJC) after speaking with their friend, Mike Brandt, who was the Women’s Basketball coach at the time. Their shared passion for education and healthcare led them to create a Women’s Basketball scholarship, followed by a nursing scholarship to support the next generation of students in fields they deeply valued. Curt and Judy’s generosity and support of Northeastern Junior College has created a lasting impact.
Judy remains an active presence at NJC, attending a variety of events—from athletic games and cultural fairs to theater performances. The staff and students alike always look forward to seeing her, as she has built strong relationships with each of us, consistently offering her support and enthusiasm for the college and its community.