In loving memory of

Norbert Neuss
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969

Norbert Neuss, a native of Krakow, Poland, died on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the age of 87. Dr. Neuss immigrated to the United States in 1949 and moved to Indianapolis in 1951.
Neuss received his university education in France. He joined the Polish Army in Paris, France as a volunteer after the German attack on Poland. After a short war in France, Neuss entered neutral Switzerland with his unit. He received an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1947 at the University of Zurich, Switzerland while working under the Nobel Prize winner, Paul Karrer. While in Switzerland, he met and married Elisabeth Osterwalder.
Dr. Neuss did post doctoral work at the University of Bern (Switzerland) before immigrating to the United States in 1949 with wife Elisabeth to work as a Research Associate at Northwestern University. It wasn?t until 1951 when Dr. Neuss moved to Indianapolis to take a position at Eli Lilly and Company where he completed his career as Research Advisor.
During Dr. Neuss?s career at Eli Lilly, he authored about 100 scientific papers, several chapters in books and numerous patents. In addition to his scientific career, he was a tireless supporter of the arts in Indianapolis. As co-founder and President of the Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis, Dr. Neuss pioneered classical music on radio, for which he and the Fine Arts Society received the George Peabody Award in 1986 and celebrated 25 years of continuous broadcasting of classical music on radio. Dr. Neuss was a member of the Board of the Ensemble Music Society and member of the Fine Arts Committee of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Other cultural contributions and achievements include ?Totem? a 33 foot sculpture by Rinaldo Paluzzi and featured in White River State Park; The Metro Bus ?The Spirit of Mozart? marking the 200th anniversary of Mozart?s death; and the restoration of the 1954 mural by Garo Antreasian, now on display at the Chilren?s Museum of Indianapolis.
In 1983, Dr. Neuss received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Marian College of Indianapolis, IN. In 1984, Dr. Neuss received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Indianapolis.
Dr. Neuss is survived by his wife of sixty years, Elisabeth Neuss, his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Gwyneth Neuss, his son-in-law Larry Bajor, and 4 grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Karin Bajor.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fine Arts Society of Indianapolis P.0. Box 1706 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-1706.
A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church 5808 E. 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46226 on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 1:30 pm. You may visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com to sign the online guest book. Arrangements and services entrusted to Leppert Mortuary Nora Chapel.

Tributes

Al Bynum wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"You have my deepest sympathy in the passing of Norbert. I have the greatest respect for him as a scientist, art lover, neighbor, and a friend (Springmill Estates). He pioneered in the broadcasting of classical music in Indy. I thank him for that also. The choirs of heaven must be serenading him now! "

Samuel & Carol Dominianni wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Einer echter, treuer Mensch. Schlaf' ruhig."

JoAnn Rubin wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I am the lady from O'malias that sold you ,for years. the Gruyere Cheese. You have my deepest sympathy and although I am no longer with O'malias I remember many of my dearest customers and friends.Sincerely,JoAnn Rubin past deli manager, O'malia Food Markets"

Kathy Cookerly wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I shared evenings at the radio station with Norbert - as a volunteer raising funds & awareness for the arts in Indiana. I'll not forget Norbert's voice and upbeat spirit. What a "gentle" man! Your music was a gift to all............"

Marianne Coil wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"My condolences and warmest wishes to your family. A little Eine Kleine Norbertmusik!"

Janice & Bill Lacefield wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"It was my privilige to have been in the presence of Norbert from 1965 until recently. To try to describe my image of him, I could only come up with a list of inadequate words: colleague, complex, gentle, friendly, imaginative, caring, genuine, creative, urbane... We extend our condolences to all who knew and loved him."

Ron, Pam, Hilary and George Maciak wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Niech zyje Amandeus Mozart! Angels spiewaja po prostu (dopiero co) dla was Norbert!Wiele kocha,Ron, Pam, Hilary and George Maciak"

Ron Maciak wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"To my father's best friend.May you both enjoy heaven as you did life on earth."

Tom & Rita Burke wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Being life-long lovers of classical music, it did not take us long to become avid Fine Arts Society listeners and supporters. How we loved Norbert's beautiful accent and imagined he could soon switch to our Swiss dialect! He was very kind and encouraging when our daughter and Swiss son-in-law gave a classical fourhand piano concert in Indianapolis and, of course, our Swiss guests were just as delighted to speak with Norbert in their native tongue. We are grateful for Nobert's wonderful contribution to classical music broadcasting. He will be missed."

Delphine Teague wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Mrs Neuss.I am so sad to hear of the loss of your HusbandMr NeussHe always had a way of putting a glow on others faces.He was always quite the Gentleman.Delphine Teague Fishers Internal Medicine"

Manny and Sally Debono wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Norbert was my colleague and a hero to me. He was passionate about what he did, be it chemistry, art or music. He pursued and demanded excellence in all these things and accomplished much. But mostly, Norbert was a good man who viewed the world through the eyes of an optimist and left a legacy of beauty and happiness. Our thoughts are with you, Elie, and with your family."

jim walsh wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I remember how Norbert coached me in my early broadcastcareer days in the pronunciation of our city."JEEEM", he would say, "it is to be pronounced with allsix syllables: IN-DEE-UH-NAP-OH-LEEES". Funny, whatwe remember. We all must be grateful for his vision tokeep classical music alive on Indy radio and the supporthe gave in the arts to our community"

Elsy Maciak wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Yes Norbert, you were always teasing me "as the girl with the longest legs" when we passed each other at the Marktgasse Winterthur - you were a young student then ,and our friendship (Jurek's and mine) lasted a whole life time. Rest in peace Elsy"

Irving and Alwyn Johnson wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"We both remember Norbert with great fondness. His gifts to classical music in Indianapolis and his scientific researches at Eli Lilly are his legacy. We of the "Great Generation" in the "class of the 1950s" at Lilly, worked together, appreciated each other, and made significant contributions to society and humanity! Our sincere condolences to Eli and the family, with love and prayers,Irving and Alwyn Johnson"

Homer Pearce wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I will always remember you, Norbert, as the quintessential gentleman-scholar. Irrepressible, warm, brilliant, and sly, you made wonderful and important contributions to science, medicine and culture. You improved the lives of individuals and whole communities. It was a great privilege and honor to know you."

Stanislaw Rolski wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Dear EliPlease accept my very deepest sympathy on the death of your husband and my close friend Norbert. Please convey my sympathy to all your family.Stanislaw Rolski"

Roger and Kim Miller wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Norbert is my best image of "Professor". He was incredibly knowledgable and capable in his own right, but he was totally focused on teaching and helping others grow and succeed. I cannot thank God enough for making it possible for me to have worked for and became a student of Norbert.He was my mentor and friend. He will be missed but will always have a place of high honor in our hearts. "

Stan and Marilyn Forston wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Marilyn and I express our deepest sympathies to the Norbert Neuss family. Our prayers are with you."

Rodney and Vallie Geier wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"The entire Neuss Family is in our thoughts and prayers. "

Anna & Piero Milella wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"We will always remember you as the witness on our wedding in Indianapolis, february 1971...on that day your radio spoke italian, italian opera. You said "La pi"

Robin Cooper wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Norbert my old friend, a sad time for us all when we reach the finality of life. The person who was my first contact at Lilly, who took me out to dinner on my interview trip-even though it was to a cafeteria!!!!! who was always full of life and who lived it to the full."

Nag Nagarajan wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Norbert was my host when i interviewed for a job at Lilly in 1966. Right away I was captivated by his warmth and friendship; it continued throughout our association at Lilly.When i forgot to pay my dues to the fine arts society, Norbert used to gently remind me - Nag my "ex-friend" who forgot to pay his dues! I knew right away I had to pay my dues.We worked on many research projects together, and published scientific papers together. It was a real pleasure to be be associated with Norbert.I knew the wonderful and gracious Neuss family well, and my heartfelt sympathies goes to Elie, MIchael and the rest of the family. R. Nag Nagarajan, Indianapolis, IN"

Kay Koch wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Eli and family,I have so many memories of Norbert and you. He was a great scientific asset to Lilly, but I remember him most for his interest in music, art, and most of all people. He introduced me to the wonderful world of contemporary art. I remember being wowed by the art in your Sunset Lane house. During our early years at Lilly, Bryan and I often had coffee in Norbert's lab. In some ways this was one of the places where we moved from friendship to love. And I think Norbert was probably very amused as he watched over this transition. I also often think of the great sorrow in your life as you comforted Karen and her family during her many operations and how you all grieved over the loss of this wonder woman.I hope over time you will find memories of the wonderful life you had with Norbert led rise to the surface and over shadow the painful memories of his long illness. "

Karl and Barbara Zimmer wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Elli and Norbert were among our first acquaintances when we arrived after years in Europe and New York.(Karl was Norbert's first interviewee at the old radio station.) We will always be grateful to Norbert for the daily pleasure of seeing Faust and Paluzzi and Vasarely art on our walls and, of course, for the one dependable source of good music on the air. Our heartfelt condolences to Elli and the family. Karl and Barbara"

Karl and Barbara Zimmer wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Elli and Norbert were among our first acquaintances when we arrived after years in Europe and New York (Karl was Norbert's first interviewee at the old radio station). We will always be grateful to Norbert for the daily pleasure of seeing Faust and Paluzzi and Vasarely art on our walls and, of course, for the one dependable source of good music on the air.Our heartfelt sympathy to Elli and the family.Karl and Barbara"

Bill Lunn wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Always a gleam in his eyes, which missed very little. He had a keen appreciation of the good things in life, for himself, his family and others. Always ready to encourage his collegues, especially younger ones.Indianapolis is richer city because he lived."

James E. Duvall wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Dr. Neuss was a distinguished scientist, a passionate supporter of the arts, a loving husband and father and a broadcaster with the spirit and conscience of the original broadcast pioneers. His vision lives on in Fine Arts Society radio and outreach programs. May his voice echo over the local airwaves for many generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. "

Dave and Dee Garrett wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Our sympathy to Eli and the famly. We enjoyed talking to Norbert about our mutual interests of art and music. He did much for the city and Indianapolis is a better place because of him. He will be missed."

Dave and Dee wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Our sympathy to Eli and the family. It was a pleasure to talk with Norbert about out mutual interests of art and music. He did much for the city and Indianapolis is a better place because of him. He will be missed."

Karl und Asta MICHEL wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Norbert,wir werden Dich nie vergessen!!"