Professor Emeritus Harry Neumiller

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Harry Neumiller died Saturday, February 18 in Galesburg. He was 82. "Both his professional and personal life were dedicated to Knox and to Galesburg in multiple and deep ways," said Knox College President Teresa Amott, in a message to the campus.

"Those whom he taught --- students, faculty, and community members alike -- knew him as a lifelong advocate for Knox and Galesburg," Amott said. "He had a keen memory, a wonderful sense of humor, a great knowledge of science and history, a passion for astronomy and meteorology, and a love of architecture. He enjoyed gardening, attending the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, the National Stearman Fly-In, plane, train and ship spotting, and watching all manner of sports."

Neumiller taught organic chemistry from 1959 until his retirement in 1997. He also served as registrar from 1976 until 1997, where he was instrumental in beginning the transition to computer-based registrar procedures.

Neumiller graduated from Knox summa cum laude in 1951 and received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1956. Prior to teaching at Knox, he worked at Eastman Kodak Research Laboratory, in Rochester, N.Y., from 1956 to 1959.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg with Revs Sarah and David Parker officiating. Visitation will be 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the Tom, Dick & Harry Neumiller scholarship fund at Knox College, the American Diabetes Association, or First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg.

Obituary from Hinchliff-Pearson-West

Harry Neumiller was born Dec. 25, 1929 in Peoria, Ill., the son of Harry Jacob and Grace Lucille Gridley Neumiller, Sr. He married Joan Christine Dilts, Sept. 14, 1957, in Central Presbyterian Church, Geneseo, N.Y., where her father, the Rev. William H. Dilts, officiated. She survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Christine M. Neumiller of Olympia, Wash.; Catherine A. Neumiller (Paul Schneidereit) of Nova Scotia, Canada; and Caroline G. Neumiller (Jeff) Pfeffer of Deerfield, Ill; one son, John H. J. (Joan Hillebrand) Neumiller, of Mahtomedi, Minn.; four grandchildren, Thomas, Benjamin, David and Grace; two step-grandchildren, Rebecca and Erika; one brother, C. Richard (Dick) Neumiller of Peoria; two nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tom G. Neumiller.

Dr. Neumiller graduated from Peoria Central High School in Ill. in 1947.

He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Galesburg and served as elder and in many other roles there. He was a longtime volunteer with Cub Scouts. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Lambda Upsilon honor societies; a member, board member, and faculty advisor of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (Knox); a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society (ACS); a member of Midwestern Association of Chemistry Teachers in Liberal Arts Colleges (MACTLAC); a 50-year member of the Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS); a member of the Knox College Fifty Year Club; and a member of the Republican Party of Knox County.

He grew up spending summers at Stead's Ranch, near Estes Park, Col., and once climbed Longs Peak. He instilled in his children, grandchildren and those around him a great love and appreciation for nature and the sciences, and a sense of community responsibility -- he was a lifelong advocate for both Knox College and the community of Galesburg, Ill. He had a keen memory, a wonderful sense of humor, a great knowledge of science and history, a passion for astronomy and meteorology, and a love of architecture. He enjoyed gardening; attending the Knox-Galesburg Symphony; the National Stearman Fly-In; plane, train and ship spotting; and watching football, baseball, basketball, golf, and the Indy 500.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg with Revs Sarah and David Parker officiating. Visitation will be 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the Tom, Dick & Harry Neumiller scholarship fund at Knox College, the American Diabetes Association, or First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.