pgmado
Bench Warmer
Posts: 171
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Post by pgmado on Feb 3, 2011 14:31:30 GMT -5
Just wanted to let the fan base know that Valparaiso basketball lost a dear friend on Tuesday night with the passing of Neal Boyer.
Neal held several degrees from VU and could often be seen playing basketball at the Athletics-Recreation Center until two years ago when a toe injury slowed him.
For the last six years I have covered games alongside Neal at the ARC and around town. Neal was the VU women's basketball beat writer and also attended as many men's games as he could. Hard to find a bigger fan of VU hoops than Neal and he will be sorely missed.
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Post by oklahoamamick on Feb 3, 2011 15:15:58 GMT -5
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Post by ladyingold on Feb 3, 2011 18:13:09 GMT -5
I will miss chating with Neal..........
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Post by humbleopinion on Feb 3, 2011 18:48:45 GMT -5
Was this expected? I had just reacquainted myself with him over the past month.
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Post by valporun on Feb 3, 2011 19:29:55 GMT -5
Mutka mentioned it was an apparent heart attack at the YMCA, so this could be along the same situation as Kenny Harris's heart condition during the workout in 2005(?), when he was working out, got up, then felt something happen. I pray for Neal's family at this time, as we all know his family is really extended beyond immediate and family he is related to.
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Post by bbtds on Feb 3, 2011 19:31:12 GMT -5
Was this expected? I had just reacquainted myself with him over the past month. |
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Post by jbowker on Feb 5, 2011 8:32:13 GMT -5
Obituary From Friday's Post-Tribune: Boyer, Neal E. Age 61 of Valparaiso, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2011. He was born October 23, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Lewis and Joyce (DeBoor) Boyer. Neal was a sports writer for the Post Tribune and was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church. On September 22, 1973, he married Mary Brady, who survives in Valparaiso. Also surviving is his daughter Becky (Mike) Marshall of Valparaiso, a granddaughter Lexy, four sisters, Barb (David) Fouch of Ohio, Betty Epie of Texas, Bly (Carroll) Cutler and Bert (Derry) Fouch of Ohio, two brothers Nils (Susie) Boyer of Texas and Norm (Deb) Boyer of Ohio and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents preceded him in death. Neal enjoyed playing basketball with his friends at V.U. and the S.E.L.F. school. His granddaughter Lexy was his little sidekick and the light of his life. Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 7, 2011 at 12:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, Rev. Jerry Castleman officiating. Entombment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, February 6, 2011, 2-6 PM at Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe St. Valparaiso. Memorial Donations may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 N. Campbell St, Valparaiso, IN 46385. To sign a guestbook for Neal, please visit www.bartholomewnewhard.com. Published in Post-Tribune on February 4, 2011 (Also in Saturday's Times) Rest in Peace, Neal. |
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Post by jbowker on Feb 5, 2011 8:36:12 GMT -5
John Mutka wrote a great story the other night... this is from the post-tribune site...
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BOYER A FRIEND TO REGION SPORTS
Sometimes I just dread picking up the phone. Too often when you’re a senior citizen, it’s bad news.
Tuesday was one of those days.
Neal Boyer was a good friend as well as a loyal colleague who spent a good chunk of his 61 years working for the Post-Tribune.
He grew up in Ohio and came to this newspaper by way of Valparaiso University with a side trip to the Michigan City News-Dispatch.
His daughter, Becky, tearfully gave me the bad news. Neal had died of an apparent heart attack after working out at the Valparaiso YMCA. My buddy wouldn’t be joining me at Panera’s for coffee and bagels any more.
There I used to tease that he’d make a great cowboy because he was so bow-legged. Actually, that developed because of bad knees. Neal was a certifiable gym rat who played basketball long after he should have switched to less demanding exercises.
One of his beats was VU women’s basketball, a tough assignment because they’re struggling, but Neal tackled it with relish, bleeding Brown & Gold.
“He loved covering games and just being around basketball,” said women’s coach Keith Freeman. “He did a terrific job.”
Neal would have made a good announcer because he’d keep up a running commentary during games. His work ethic was so ingrained he took notes at a game even if he wasn’t covering it.
Over the years his enthusiasm for sports and his alma mater never faded, but lately the spotlight widened to include his granddaughter Lexi. He never missed a chance to keep us abreast of her progress from cradle to crawling, or produce the latest photos.
I looked forward to Fridays with Neal and Frank Wiget, another newspaper veteran. We spent hours telling war stories about the P-T and kibitzing with Panera manager Linda Cutter, who cheerfully put up with our nonsense.
Neal was always a late arrival, needing a 9 a.m. wakeup call every week. I’ll probably dial him this Friday. Old habits are hard to break.
Our ranks are thinning, earlier casualties being P-T pals Mark Brattain and Larry Hecht. I still have Larry’s last message on my cell phone, which I renew every 21 days to keep a faint connection to the other side. I wish I had saved one of Neal’s messages, but he took me by surprise.
Rest easy, old pals.
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Post by ca on Feb 5, 2011 8:55:05 GMT -5
I often ran into Neal in stores around Valpo as well as the ARC and stopped to chat with him every time I saw him. Great guy and will surely be missed. Blessings to the family.
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