|
EDWARD J. NEFF passed away at home January 21, 2005. Born July 1, 1924 in North Hackensack, NJ, Ed was preceded in death by his parents, George Jacob Neff and Anna Sindle Neff; his younger brother, Richard A. Neff; and sister-in-law, Phyllis (Mrs. George H.) Neff, all of Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Francine Irving Neff; son, Edward Vann Neff, both of Albuquerque; daughter, Sindle Neff Sandoval and husband, Christopher L. Sandoval of Pena Blanca; older brother, George H. Neff; sister-in-law, Barbara (Mrs. Richard A.) Neff; sister-in-law, Shirley Irving Fisher; nieces; nephews; and many friends. Mr. Neff graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1941. He entered Oklahoma University where Neff represented the OU swim team at the International Athletic Carnival in Mexico City in 1941. Neff joined the U.S. Army in June 1943 and after basic training at Ft. Sill and Ft Knox was selected for ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) at Ohio State and Indiana Universities. Upon dissolution of the ASTP Neff was dispatched to Ft. Campbell and Ft, Bragg for special armored tank training. Ed was assigned to the 20th Armored Division, Company D, and served as lead tank driver in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Company D participated in mop-up operations at the Bulge and in the American march to Munich, earning The Presidential Unit Citation. Neff returned to the U. S. after the war in Europe and received his discharge at Ft. Bliss in El Paso. Neff's parents moved to Albuquerque from Oklahoma City during the war, and Ed returned home to Albuquerque, entering the University of New Mexico in January 1946 where he became a charter member of New Mexico Alpha Chapter, Phi Delta Theta, earned a letter in swimming, and received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in accounting. Ed married Francine Irving on their mutual graduation day from the University of New Mexico, June 7, 1948. In 1947 Ed and his father George J. Neff founded the New Mexico accounting firm George J. Neff and Associates CPA's which latter became Neff and Company and is now Neff-Ricci LLP. Ed served as Managing Partner of Neff and Company from 1957 to 1970. In 1971 Ed was awarded "Boss of the Year" by the Albuquerque Charter Chapter, Albuquerque Business and Professional Woman's Association. Neff was nominated to the 1974 Mountain States Conference as "Outstanding Accountant from New Mexico" Ed spent many years in service to the accounting profession. As an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New Mexico Society of CPA's Albuquerque Chapter of CPA's and the New Mexico Estate Planning Council. He served as President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Director of the New Mexico Society, President and Vice President of the New Mexico Estate Planning Council, as an elected AICPA Council Member from 1964-1967, as AICPA Council Member at Large from 1974-1977, as delegate to the International Accounting Congress in Paris, France and as a member of AICPA Committees on Taxation, Management of an Accounting Practice, Professional Development, and Government Participation. Neff served as Co-Chairman for New Mexico of the American Thrift Assembly which worked to enact the Self-Employed Individual Tax Retirement Act of 1962 (the Keogh bill) permitting self-employed individuals to save for their retirement through contributions to retirement accounts. Ed Neff's service to the community included Camp Fire Girls Inc. Board of Directors, Albuquerque Community Council Secretary, Albuquerque Little Theater Board of Directors, Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, Heights Optimist Club Charter Member, New Mexico Independent College Association Board of Directors, New Mexico Neurological Foundation Board of Directors, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center where a plaque hangs commemorating Mr. Neff's contributions to the Cultural Center as Organizer / Director, Rotary Club of Albuquerque, UNM Lobo Club, Life member, Vice President and Director of Four Hill s Country Club, active supporter of the Republican Party, and member of the Cathedral Church of St. John. Ed's favorite pastimes were fly fishing on the streams of New Mexico and Colorado and golf. In 2003 Edward J. Neff was inducted into the University of New Mexico Robert O. Anderson School of Management Hall of fame for his outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and to the business community. A funeral Mass will be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, 318 Silver SW, on Tuesday January 25, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed's partners in Neff-Ricci. A reception will follow at The Albuquerque Petroleum Club, 500 Marquette NW. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to a church or charity of choice. Contributions may also be made to the Edward J. Neff Scholarship Fund for graduate students in accounting. Donations may be sent to The University of New Mexico, Robert O. Anderson School and Graduate of Management, Development Office, MACO5 3090, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-001 attention Tori Hobbs. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services 2919 4th NW Albuquerque NM 87108 (505) 343-8008.
|
