Thomas Neenan Sr.
April 3, 1923 ~ September 8, 2015
IMPORTANT NOTE: The day of the visitation and service has been changed.
Thomas Francis Neenan died on September 8, 2015, at home at the age of 92 after a brief bout with bone cancer. Tom maintained his zest for living until the end, directing his five children in the continuation of the work of his lifetime. Dedicated to creating lasting public projects, Tom served as mayor of Center Point during which he established a library, brought city-wide water and sewer and paved many streets. Tom received the highest honors for his work in the Boy Scouts of America including the Silver Beaver Award. For many years, Tom led Troop 58 in Center Point and was active in the Boy Scout Camp Waubeek.
Most dear to his heart was Tom's work on trails in the state of Iowa and across the United States. Determined to take advantage of the National Trails System Act of 1968, Tom worked diligently and fearlessly to create a lasting legacy of beautiful trails across the great state of Iowa. Under the non-profit Iowa Trails Council, Tom made the first application for acquisition of an abandoned rail bed and continued to negotiate, acquire and establish trails for many years. For his work, Tom received many accolades including the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award for 'outstanding service to Iowa', the American Trails Award of Excellence, the American Hiking Society's Kern Award for outstanding volunteer work and was entered into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 1996.
Tom leaves to cherish his memory son Tom (TJ) and his wife Diana of Center Point, and daughters Nancy Michaels and partner Tony Hamline of St. Paul, Minnesota, Pam and husband Ken Rosmann of Freeport, Illinois, Kate and husband Marc Waitek of Osage, and Molly Neenan and husband Gary Jorgenson, Center Point. Tom was also blessed with seven grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Tom married Eileen Vala in 1951, and enjoyed 54 years with this very special woman. After Eileen's death, Tom reacquainted himself with his high school sweetheart and married Rita Pappenfus in 2009. Rita passed away in June 2014.
True to his wish to make the world a better place, Tom donated his body to the University of Iowa for scientific study. In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that you will think of Tom and find one hour of time to give to your community. Family and friends will gather to remember Tom from 5-7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 18th, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 808 Main Street, Center Point, Iowa. A celebration mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 19th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Walker, Iowa.
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He wanted to die at home so all of his kids worked together to make that happen along with truly awesome Home Instead® senior care and Mercy Hospice nurses. My brother called it “our Lost Summer” which it was but I know from our conversations that it was also a learning and loving experience for all of us. Not everyone has the opportunity or inclination to die with courage, grace, and gratitude but that’s what we got to see and admire. He will be missed.
He raised a great family and a left behind a legacy of civic service — including a network of running and bike trails that will endure and be enjoyed by thousands of people.
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. As a teacher at CPU I was first introduced to your family through the scholarship that is given. His commitment to the community and education is truly appreciated.
Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Halane Cummings
Dear Nance, Tom, Pam, Kate and Molly… It is like another Grand Oak Tree in the landscape of my life is gone….I can only imagine how this loss will feel for you and your families…. So many memories of your Dad… I love the way this picture captures the twinkle in his eyes and smile. The first time I saw that was when he treated me to lunch on one of my first visits with Nance … I had never been treated to lunch by someone besides my parents and was clueless how and what to order. So I found the least expensive thing… grilled cheese… and he knew and I knew that he knew, I didn’t know what I was doing…. Yet he let me profess my undying love for grilled cheese sandwiches, with pickles of course… without embarrassing me further. My fondest memories are the great philosophical conversations I would have with each of your parents sitting at the counter eating your Mom’s chocolate fudge covered brownies. Your Dad and I tried to connect several times on his trips out to California with Rita, but alas we never got the opportunity. Many blessing to each of you and your families as you travel this new trail without his physical presence to captivate, tease and inspire. May the many wonderful memories you share and “The Lost Summer’s” gifts be a blanket of comfort and warmth when this new trail feels cold.
Much love,
-=Terry Hicks=-
May God Almighty of Tender Mercies Comfort the Neenan family (2 Cor.1:3,4).
When the last Enemy strikes grief maybe great And make the Heart yearn for Comfort,
God Almighty of Tender Mercies gives HOPE And PROMISE, All those in the Memorial
Tombs will hear His voice And COME OUT, He will wipe OUT every tear from their
Eyes And Death will be NO MORE, God Almighty HOPE And PROMISE IS SOON TO BE ATTAIN.
May these Thoughts be of some Comfort.
Nancy, Tom, Pam, Kate and Molly. I know I don’t need to tell you how special your Dad was to me. We shared so many times together, and with your Mom too. I remember many a night working with them in the Tywal plant. That was summer fun for me. As my Godfather, he did so many things that were so special to me. On my bedroom wall, I still have the Crucifix that he gave to me when I was confirmed. All the picnics with my whole family and your whole family are still in my memory bank, where they will always stay. It was always a “special treat” to go to Center Point.
I loved calling him on the phone and chatting for about an hour. It kept me so in touch with your family as you all spread your wings to all places. You could always hear the pride in his voice as he told me about what each of you were doing. He loved every one of you equally, and didn’t hesitate to show it. I will miss him terribly. He was always my rock when I came back to Iowa.
I am so happy you all had the “lost summer” with him. If you look back on it, it wasn’t lost at all, but really found. You found a ton of memories, that may have been lost, had you not shared those last days together. That you made the arrangements for him to die, in peace, at home, was an extraordinary outpouring of your love of him. We wished that we could have done the same for our Dad, but it wasn’t possible. Every time I saw your Dad, he reminded me of my Dad. There was never a doubt that they were brothers. Some of the pictures I have, you have to look at least twice to be sure who it is.
I love each and every one of you. Please don’t lose contact now. We are still cousins!!
My memories of Mayor Neenan go back to when I served in Iowa Senate and Tom would remind me of how important trails and conservation is for Iowa. Then as Mayor of Cedar Rapids I again saw personally how passionate Tom was about his town of Center Point. We lost a big booster of Center Point and a true leader in Iowa. Will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Neenan family.
Paul Pate – Iowa Secretary of State
Molly, Nancy, Tom, Pam, Kate,
Deepest sympathies and many prayers for comfort and healing during this time of grief and loss. I only met your father 1x out at Molly’s house, and he seemed like such an interesting and neat person. I know he will be greatly missed by you all. Stick together, you all are a wonderful family. Keep the happy memories close.
– Christy
My condolences to the family of Thomas Neenan Sr. I did not get the pleasure of his acquaintance, but after reading his obituary in the newspaper I have decided to save it. When my son does his ‘Iowa Project’ at school I want to show it to him, so we can learn about the wonderful trails Mr. Neenan created. I hope to visit some of the trails as well. May God give you peace and comfort during this time. Jeana
Several of us from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation want to express our sympathy. We had the privilege of knowing Tom through Iowa trails, and we admired his passionate commitment to providing trails as a gateway to nature and to Iowa communities. Leaders with such vision and persistence are treasures. Our thoughts are with you.
Anita Sand O’Gara
I didn’t know Tom Neenan personally, but I felt as if I knew him because I subscribed to the Iowa Trails Council newsletter for several years. I came across an old copy in my files recently and was reminded of how cheering it was to read about such dedication and determination to save railroad rights-of-way for the future. His enthusiasm and sense of humor were evident in his writing. I am especially grateful for the beautiful railroad prairie remnants that were saved through his hard work. Sympathies to his family and friends. He left a wonderful legacy.
I became aquatinted with Tom over the past few years. I looked forward to seeing him in the future to discuss trails work. In the past, we discussed state trails work and the creation of the Old Creamery Nature Trail in Benton County which he was instrumental. The ripples of his work will be felt for decades in the future. I am very happy that we were able to spend time together. Rest in Peace Tom
Dear Nancy and Family,
Your Dad was a remarkable man. It is sad to say goodbye. How wonderful that you were all able to spend time comforting and learning from him in his final days.
Our condolences,
Steve and Annie Herrick