Thomas Louis Neff

Thom L Neff PhD, born an October Libra in 1938 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in East Sandwich MA. He left in his own good time, surrounded by love. Born to humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio he always sought out learning, friendship and adventure. His athletic abilities opened up a broader world for him taking him to all ends of the earth. He started at University of Akron as an excellent swimmer and mediocre student. Keen to avoid working he visited Boston and the Y on Commonwealth Ave. That trip turned into a masters degree at Northeastern University and the introduction to his beloved wife of 57 years, Sue McDonough Neff. From there the journey continued serving as a 1 st. LT in the US Army Corps of Engineering and the pursuit and completion of his PhD at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Thom over time became a true scholar and world class geotechnical engineer. He worked on many of the worlds most complicated and advanced construction projects over his career.

Thom and Sue called home to many places, Urbana, IL, Omaha, Nebraska, Churchill Falls, Labrador CAD, Marshfield, MA, Portland, Oregon, Needham, MA, Jamaica Plain, MA, Dedham, MA, his beloved Beacon Hill, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and East Sandwich, MA.

He was the beloved father to Tracy, Kristin, and T.L. and their spouses Erik and Deanna. He was the always entertaining and loving Thompa to his cherished grandchildren Dr. Emily Gentile and Meaghan Gentile, Haley Neff and Trevor Neff, and Trace Lustgarten and Zari Lustgarten. Brother to Mary, Ellen and John Neff.

He chose friends carefully; he was a friend to many. Those he cherished were surely fortunate; anyone he disliked was usually a reprobate. His friendships cross all walks of life. He taught his family the importance of empathy and the value of true friendship.

Never one to sit idle he was delighted to fulfill a dream started at his office at MIT in the 1970’s when he joined the Charles River Yacht Club in 1996. He loved boats, especially wooden boats, more things to tinker with and wood to varnish. He captained the Halcyon 3 for many years and to participate in a ride down the Charles River and then docking at the club was a memorable adventure for all onboard and on the docks. Many creative words were shared by all on those river cruises. Over the years the many boats got smaller and more manageable. Many summer days at high tide he would cruise up Scotron Creek with his grandkids on board to the bridge on Rt 6A so they could all, when brave enough, jump off. Then he would return them to the Cape house for a large family dinner on the deck.

Always on the move Thom never missed the opportunity to head to the dump. A small get away from the house, time to get a coffee and a cookie and strike up a conversation with strangers. Tinkering and fixing things around the house or working on a car we learned from him that duct tape can solve many of life’s problems. We all would do well to remember - with him - that... everything is relative, and we must constantly pay attention because... anything can happen even for a kid from Akron. He was a loving husband, father and Thompa, mostly an adventurer and will be held strongly in our hearts and dearly missed.

Donations in his memory may be made to the UMASS College of Engineering Scholarships:https://bit.ly/UMassEngineering

Arrangements by the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 154 Route 6A Sandwich. A Celebration of Life to be announced.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonbournefh.com for the Neff family.