Obituary: Neunherz, Edward Neil

NEUNHERZ, Edward Neil Lt. Col. USAF, Retired December 6, 1944 - January 27, 2015 Edward (Ed) Neil Neunherz died at home in Veradale, Washington on January 27, 2015 with his loving wife, Gayle, and his dogs Bella and Maggie by his side.

He was 70 years old.

Ed is survived by wife, Patricia Gayle Neunherz, son Gregory Alan Neunherz, daughter-in-law Darlene Neunherz, and grandchildren Alexis Neunherz, and Kaden Neunherz of Pullman, Washington, and sister, Katherine Jane Neunherz of Spokane Valley and sister-in-law, Debby O’Bar.

Ed was especially fond of Cyndi Faubel, MeagAnn Bowers, and Kyle Bowers.

Ed was born in Columbus, Ohio, on December 6, 1944, the eldest of two children.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Neil Edward Neunherz and Thalia Patricia Gibbs Neunherz of Little Rock, Arkansas.

He valued education and graduated with a BA from the University of Arkansas, an MBA from Gonzaga University, and a MSE from Wayne State University.

Ed was in the USAF for almost 27 years retiring in 1993 at the rank of Lt.

Colonel.

He served as a Weapons Safety Officer and Public Affairs Officer, receiving numerous medals and awards.

He enjoyed the Air Force and worked Titan missile explosions, air show disasters, hostage returns from Lebanon, and the removal of chemical weapons from Germany.

He and his family loved traveling and were stationed in the USA, Italy where son Greg was born, Japan and Germany.

Following retirement, he was requested by the USAF in Washington D.C. to work the B-52 crash at Fairchild AFB.

After his career in the Air Force, Ed and family relocated to Spokane, having been stationed at FAFB from 1974 to 1979.

Ed found employment as the Executive Director of the Spokane Lilac Festival before becoming a Senior Vice President at Global Credit Union.

While at Global, he was very involved in the Spokane community.

After leaving Global in 2010, Ed remained active with numerous organizations in the Spokane area including: Spokane County Planning Commission / Commissioner; West Plains Chamber of Commerce / Past President; Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council / Past President; Spokane Armed Services Committee / Past Chairman; Vanessa Behan Funding Development Board / Past President; Washington State Festivals and Events Association / Past President; Spokane First Night Board of Directors/ Member; Operation Spokane Heroes / Founding Member; Spokane British Brass Band Board of Directors / Member; Greater Spokane Incorporated Trustees / Past Member; Spokane Convention and Visitors Bureau Trustees / Past Member; Fairchild AFB Retiree Activities Office / volunteer; South Hill Kiwanis / Past President.

Ed’s family would like to thank friends, colleagues at FAFB, the USAF, and the Spokane community.

The kind expressions from so many whose lives he touched have been, and continue to be, a great source of solace and comfort to his family in their time of loss.

Ed’s memorial service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA, on Friday, February 6th at 1:00 PM.

Reception to follow at Heritage.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 509-535-3155: Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council (GSSAC), 509-922-8383: Operation Spokane Heroes, 801 W. Riverside, suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201.