I met Neil and Lenni soon after I moved to Lawrence in 1982, as I lived only a block or two down the street from them. I was running in the late afternoons when I first arrived, but Neil told me about the Mad Dogs and encouraged me to run with them. Not yet understanding Kansas weather, I thought it would be too hot at noon – but Neil assured me that late afternoon was hotter. I babysat for both Sara and Mikah, worked for Neil as an assistant on one of his textbook projects, and enjoyed the chance to chat with him because he always had something interesting or funny to say. He and my mother were both competitive swimmers, so we often shared swimming stories. But mostly I remember Neil’s kindness, friendliness, and laughter. He was a lovely person who will be dearly missed by many. I feel very grateful to have known him.
Deborah Altus
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Neil the runner:
Neil was an early member of the MadDogs and one of the many who took on the marathon distance -- once -- with a 3:45 at the 1979 KU Relays marathon. He was one of 18 MadDogs who ran that year, a high point for the group.
Neil didn't race often, but our records show that he ran the Macy's 10K in 1980, 1981, 1983, and 1984 with a best of 42:41. He also ran the 1982 KU Relays 10K, the Maupintour 5K (21:23) in 1982 and the 1983 Maupintour 10K. Neil then returned to run the 2003 Raintree 5K with Fred Van Vleck.
Neil also took part in 10 of our first 11 MadDogs runs from 1984 to 1994 and then again in 2006. He competed in age-group competitive swimming in later years.
And while the details may be lost to time, at our annual banquets, Neil was one of several who received the "Elvis Presley Award" in 1988, and he received the "Golden Shaft Award" in 1990. He was also named both "Most Eccentric" and "Most Fun" at our 10th reunion in 1993.
--Dick Lipsey
1984 MadDogs run: Neil (seated); John Bunce (center); Deborah Altus (at right) |
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I am grateful that I had a chance to run for several years with Neil while we
overlapped at KU. He was funny and always shared a great deal of wisdom about
life and work-life-work balance. He was a tenured professor, a loving husband,
and yet managed to keep up a lucrative business writing how to books about
computer software packages on the side of his professor work. Amazing! I was
once on a team with him (I was the runner, and he the swimmer) for the Topeka
triathlon, and we won first place for the gender-mixed combined age group (we
may have been the only team in the category, I admit), and I still have the
plaque. I recall that we finished the race just before a terrible thunderstorm.
I am sorry that he is gone, and will always remember him for his ready smile.
Best,
Ann [Cudd] |
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Neil
I was not aware of your illness until Bob Kent told me last week. Bob tried and I tried to see you before you left and we missed.
My late wife Soad, who had a special place in her heart for you (you and Bob were closest to her). She is waiting for you up there among a crowd of welcoming angels (you were anything but angelical Neil, so don't get conceited, this is not a good time for that). I asked a good pious friend on Friday to pray for you during this Sabt (Not Shabat), according to BDB). I know that God made it easy on you. Go to him in peace my dear friend and dwell as I know you will with the saddukim, nabiyyim, and the beloved (dawuddim) of hashim. Baruk, Shalom, Amen.
mohamed
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1994 run: Mohamed, Jeff, Neil
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I still have your $1.11 which I am supposed to spend on your behalf at the Saadia Genize in the Mar Girgis three religions complex in Maadi Cairo. I will, god welling, spend the money there when He says I can go.
loving you dear brother
mohamed |
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David and I met Neil and Leni in 1973 at a new faculty welcome party given by the Chancellor. Both of us ran with Neil at different times. I appreciated the times he chose to run a bit more slowly and encourage me in my running. He was always kind and kept me going with stories. I loved the twinkle in his eye. Losing Neil is very sad. Our condolences to Leni and family. Hopefully on Thanksgiving Day and beyond we can be thankful for the time we had with Neil.
Debbie Faurot
1989 MadDogs run
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Hi, Deborah
Thanks for sharing what happened today and your reminiscences of Neil. I’ve thought a lot about him and the running group since hearing of his passing. No longer being a part of the Mad Dogs has always been my biggest regret after leaving Lawrence.
Bob [Welch] |
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Neil with Grover, 1993
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I ran with Neil in the late 70's and early 80's. He was always smiling,
positive, and writing books about software. While not the fastest runner, he did
participate -- I believe, but my old age memory may be showing here -- in one of
the Mad Dog mini-Iron Man contests, with the likes of Jim Brewer, Mike Ott and
the other top athletes from our group. It is sad to read of his passing. My
prayers for his family. May he rest in peace.
Peter Lorenzi |
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Linda & I are very sad to hear about Neil. I remember him well in the running group. We would often talk about investing plus other things. We told Neil ~1980 that an older lady might be selling her house on our block of Indiana St. So Neil & family bought it. We moved from that block in 1986, but I assume his wife-Lenni still lives there (but don'r really know). I also remember that Neil was quite a swimmer & was the first one out of pool during the famous brass balls contest (3 legs: swimming, biking, running). Neil will be missed, that is for sure.
Harold [Yarger]
My condolences to Neil's family and to all of you who knew him. Harold Yarger and others are correct about Neil's participation in the first "Brass Balls" triathlon. He was one of the five of us who gave it a go. He came in third in that event. (There may a photo of the group at the start of that race in the Mad dogs archives.) Neil always had a smile on his face. He was a good man. I consider myself lucky to have met and run with him.
Mike Kelly |
The 1979 Brass Balls triathlon
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Sorry to learn this news. Neil was particularly welcoming to my wife and me
when
we arrived at KU in 1991. His passing is a great loss to the Lawrence
community.
Michael Greenfield |
1991 MadDogs run; Neil at right
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Neil was one of the first runners I met when I started with the group in the mid-80s. He was a man of many talents - professor, author of many books, active member of the LJCC, my juggling buddy (we attended a juggling convention years ago) and a good friend. It's very sad to have lost him.
Dennis [Rosen] |
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Neil was one of the first people I met in Lawrence at the LJCC, and
he encouraged me to join the running group. He was a wise person,
generous with his time and advice, excellent athlete, and a gifted
professor, who with a smile would never let you take yourself too
seriously. I will miss him!
Morrie Kleiner
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Neil at center rear, next to Ed Morris
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Your news is indeed sad. I ran a lot of miles with Neil over the years. He was a great guy, Professor, and running brother.
Tony Redwood |
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Neil was a part of my early experiences with the group. We shared thefact that we both “flapped our jaws” and “cracked wise” --- perhaps a little too much!! He would give me a hard time, but always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.& We also shared an affinity for the Terps, as we both received our PhDs from Maryland.
RIP, Neil.
Regards,
JimG |
Neil at left rear, next to Fred
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Very sorry to hear the sad news. I remember Neil well from my time at KU and the lunchtime runs.
Best wishes to his family and friends.
Ray Tricker (1985-89)
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Gosh I'm sorry to hear that. He was so robust and full of life.
[Cheryl Miller]
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So, terrible news about Neil. He's much too young to go.
How fun it was to run with him. He was always interesting, fun, and witty.
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Sept 2015: ceremony for Ed Morris, stepping down as department chairman
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Dan and I are very saddened by this news. We extend condolences to Leni, Sara, and Micah and their family.
We have many happy memories of conversations and visits with Neil. He was always a good person with whom to talk. We were very impressed by his latest article in the LJCC Bulletin.
With our deepest sympathies,
Fran and Dan Breslauer |
Neil, third from left, front row (in blue and white cap)
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