Peter William Neyhart
The memorial service was held at Resurrection Lutheran Church on August 19, 2020. It was attended by those who viewed the service on YouTube (which can be now viewed under archived events on the RLC Live! Events tab), participated remotely on Zoom and those who attend in-person in the RLC sanctuary (socially-distanced).
Slideshow Shown at Memorial Service
Peter William Neyhart
Peter William Neyhart passed away on July 15, 2020 at his home in Juneau. He was born October 9, 1935 in Montevideo, Minnesota to Marvel William and Gertrude Signora Neyhart. He was raised with one sister, Karen, two years younger. Peter graduated from Montevideo High School in 1953 and attended the University of Minnesota for one year before enlisting in the Army. While serving in France, he acquired his love for Volkswagen automobiles – eventually owning multiple beetles and buses. When he returned home, he earned a civil engineering degree from South Dakota State University in the spring of 1961.
In 1959, while working construction for the summer, he met Julie Nelson at a dance in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Two years later, they were married. Julie and Peter lived in South Dakota, Washington, Oregon and Petersburg, Alaska before settling in Juneau in 1970. Peter worked as a Forest Service engineer and retired as the Head of Practical Jokes (and also fleet manager of the Tongass National Forest) in 1994. During that time they raised four children – sons Mark, Brett, and Scott and daughter Brook.
Peter enjoyed Resurrection Lutheran Church; attending and supporting local arts and youth programs; spending time with his children and their families; traveling widely with his wife and sharing those experiences; following sports and current events; and, most importantly, helping others and welcoming everyone with a smile and conversation.
Peter is survived by his wife, Julie; his sister, Karen and her family; four children – Mark (Joy), Brett, Scott and Brook (Chris); and five grandchildren – Sam, Lilly, Wyatt, Leah and Willem.
His qualities were passed down to his children. Mark inherited his ability to build and fix anything. Brett displays his wit and sense of humor. Scott, who remembers him fondly as a “family man,” carries on that trait. And his daughter, Brook, has organizational skills equal to his. To his wife, years ago, he gave his heart; she holds it still.
While we would like to have him with us now, we are grateful that, up to the time of his death, Peter was able to communicate with us fully. He will be remembered by many for his kindness and generosity.
Donations in memory of Peter can be made to the Resurrection Lutheran Church Food Pantry or to the Juneau Community Foundation at 350 N. Franklin St. #4, Juneau, AK 99801. Gifts to the Juneau Community Foundation will support several aspects of the community that Peter cared about: helping those who are less fortunate, youth programs, and the New JACC. See the the Juneau Community Foundation website to specify a fund for your donation.