Richard Joe Neff

Richard (Dick) Joe Neff, age 83, of Greenville, OH, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the home of his daughter, Joy Johnson, in Chester, VA. Dick was born July 23, 1939 in Darke County, Ohio to the late Pete A. Neff and Mary E. (Billheimer) Neff. Dick was also preceded in death by his two sisters, Mae Fern Neff (Edwards) and Doris E. Neff (Brown); and his late wives, Lila (Tootsie) M.(Brantley) Neff, Joan (Townsend) Neff, and Christine (Cornelison) Neff.
Dick is survived by his sisters, Margaret (Neff) Hart and Marianne (Neff) Cox; his daughter, Joy (Neff) Johnson (Gregg); grandchildren, Joseph Stillings, Anastasia Mackay, Lacey Awalt, Robert Johnson; and bonus grandsons, Derrick Johnson, Mike Sinclair and Westley Denny; and great-grandson, David Mackay. In addition he is survived by Joan's sons, Don (Kay) Dave (Danette), and Ted (Diana) Fitzgerald; and her daughter, Anne (Jeff) Raymond; and grandchildren, Amanda, Tara, Donnie, Samantha, Kristen, Ridge, Amy, Natasha, Erin, Davey, Daniel, Amy and Ben. Dick is also survived by Chrissy's daughter, Alisa Hill (Ryan); and grandchildren, Ciera, Taylor, Aiden, and Gavin. There are many step-great-grandchildren as well.
Dick graduated from Ansonia High School and briefly attended Ohio State University on a full scholarship before leaving to embark on a 30-year career with the United States Geological Survey as a cartographer. He started as a rod man, mapping much of the South Eastern Appalachian Trail, before leaving the field for the office in Reston, VA where he became Chief of the Eastern Mapping Division. He had the honor of wintering over with the Australians at their Casey Station in Antarctica in 1975. He later received a Medal from the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions for his service and valor that had to be approved by President Gerald Ford. There is also a part of Antarctica named after him, the Neff Nunatak. He finished out his mapping career at the Rolla, MO office. It would take a book to sum up Dad's life, and Joy does intend to write one soon.
Dick never met a stranger. Race, religion, nor age was ever a barrier to friendship. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, bowling, dancing, games, jigsaw puzzles, pool, playing cards with his family and singing karaoke with special niece, Vicky Cox. He was a member at various times of the Elk and Moose Lodges, the American Legion, and The VFW. He was an avid fan of the Ansonia Tigers, OSU Buckeyes, and the Cincinnati Bengals. He and Chrissy embodied a favorite life lesson which is, "Family are those we choose to love who choose to love us back." He loved abundantly. He is loved abundantly, and he will live forever in the hearts of all who knew him.
A celebration of life will be held in the Greenville area for him and Chrissy the first week in April with more details to come at a later time. Both of them will be spending some time at Ohio University science lab due to body donation on a mission that was important to them both. His family would like to thank J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home of Chester, VA and Jagers & Sons of Athens, OH for assisting Dick on his last journey. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Legacy Hospice for providing rapid and excellent care to Dick and Joy during his final days. Words are not adequate to express our gratitude to all who supported us.