Eugene Hildebrand Neff

Obituary:

Eugene Hildebrand Neff, retired manager of the Junior League Warehouse, died Aug. 12 in Plymouth, Ind. He was 77.

"He was so popular with all the women," Junior League past President Kathy Sutherland said. "He was wonderful. He was like a grandfather to us and he knew lots of customers by name." Said Pipper Byrum, chairman of the Warehouse in 1982 and 1983: "He was a real special person who touched a lot of lives."

Mr. Neff of 5451-A Strawberry Hill Dr. started working at the Warehouse in the late 1970s after retiring as regional sales manager from Whirlpool Corp. and worked there for about six years, Byrum said.

"He was such a very real caring person," Byrum said. "He had a feel for the customers and he was always interested in them." For instance, she said, Mr. Neff always would inquire about the families of the customers, mostly lower-income people. "He made them feel important, too," she said. "He was a great P.R. person for our league." Said Sutherland: "He always went beyond the call of duty." At Christmas, Byrum said, Mr. Neff turned into a Santa Claus. "He was seen stuffing bags with toys for people who could not afford to buy."

Mr. Neff retired in 1984 from the Warehouse to spend time traveling with his wife, Gladys. The couple had a "real special relationship," Byrum said. "They had a real love affair."

On birthdays or anniversaries, Mr. Neff always had a surprise. "He would whisk her away somewhere" to the mountains for a picnic or a candlelight dinner or some other special meal.

A native of Reading, Pa., Mr. Neff was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Oasis Temple of the Shrine and the Angerona Masonic Lodge No. 168. He also was a volunteer with the American Red Cross transportation services.

Funeral for Mr. Neff was Monday at St. John's Episcopal Church, where he was a member. Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Jack Neff of Ephrata, Pa., Richard Neff; daughter, Mrs. Sara Meek of Ephrata; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

As published in Charlotte Observer, The (NC) — Tuesday, August 19, 1986

Source:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184941821/eugene-hildebrand-neff