"To Kevin's family please accept my condolences on your loss. I worked closely with Kevin in the earliest days of Sprint. He was a dedicated, high energy associate and a trusted member of our team. He was integral to the early success of Sprint PCS. As a graduate of Bishop Miege I enjoyed discussions about his experience at Rockhurst. He clearly achieved great success in his personal life and each of his extended family members should know that his contributions were greatly appreciated. Bernie Bianchino"
In loving memory of
Kevin Leo Neuer
February 3, 1950 - September 4, 2022
Kevin Leo Neuer, age 72, of Lee's Summit, Missouri died on September 4, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota of complications of osteomyelitis.
Kevin was born February 3, 1950 to Ernest and Jean Neuer in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas, and while working at Sprint, he earned his MBA from Baker University in Kansas.
Kevin had a successful career within various Sprint Telecommunications divisions from 1989 to 2005. He formally retired as Vice President of Procurement in 2005 due to illness. Kevin married Sharon VanBuskirk on December 15, 1980 in Paola, KS. They shared two children, Marcella and Bryan.
Kevin was a member of the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad group. He spent part of each summer camping and volunteering to help preserve this heritage narrow gauge railroad in the San Juan mountains of Colorado. Kevin loved to travel and his favorite place to be outside of the United States was the island of Anguilla in the British West Indies. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, and spent many hours with his grandchildren there. He was especially known for the mammoth sunflowers he grew each year.
He is survived by Sharon, his wife of 42 years; two brothers, Brett (Sue) Neuer of Cannon Beach, OR and Kyle Neuer of Willits, CA; his sister Beth Heiser of Cannon Beach, OR; daughter Marcella Chestnut of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren Julia, Audrey and Stephen; his son Bryan Morgan of Memphis, TN; granddaughters Victoria and Kaitlyn; nieces Sarah, Emily and Theresa and his beloved dog Mayo. He is also survived by his 2 bonus (foreign exchange) daughters, Helene Veroone from France and Corinne Aubry- Lehr from Germany.
Kevin was a long time patient of several different Mayo Clinic teams, having received 2 solid organ transplants. He was grateful to be under their care over 17 years. The family encourages friends and loved ones to take a moment to consider becoming an organ donor, and make your wishes known. Because of the generosity of Kevin's donors, we had 17 more wonderful years of life together. In his words, "We had a good run." He will be greatly missed.
Cremation in Rochester, Minnesota. Private services to be determined.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Neuer family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"My deepest condolences for your loss. The world is the less without Kevin in it. I know that your memories will sustain you all. WITH PEACE LOVE AND META, G.M.W."
"I came upon your tribute from a family member recently passing as well. I want to say it must have been fate because not but a few weeks ago I had the most magnificent experience riding through the San Juan mountains on that very train. Thank you for preserving and all you did for the railroad, rest peacefully. "
"Sharon and family members, my thoughts are with you. Kevin and I went through St. Ann's grade school and Rockhurst High School together! Kevin was always one of the brightest and funniest of our group of baby boomers. We kept in touch in recent years through email. He will be missed."
"Dearest Sharon, Marci and Brian, Brett, Kyle and Beth and families, I?m so sorry for your loss. I hope you will find peace and comfort with all your friends and loved ones. I had the immense privilege to spend a year as an exchange student with your family. This was more than 30 years ago and I became part of your family. Kevin was my bonus father, he was such a loving person, so patient, so encouraging. He was so generous and so funny. I admired his knowledge. He was so intelligent and wise. You both changed my life and I will be thankful for it forever. We have kept in touch throughout all these years. You both have always been an inspiration for me. Your love and respect for each other were unique. Your courage and strength to face difficult times were admirable. I feel so lucky to have you in my life. I will miss Kevin so much but I will be remembering him with a big smile in my face. Corinne"
"Dearest Sharon, Marci and Brian, Brett, Kyle and Beth and families, I?m so sorry for your loss. I hope you will find peace and comfort with all your friends and loved ones. I had the immense privilege to spend a year as an exchange student with your family. This was more than 30 years ago and I became part of your family. Kevin was my bonus father, he was such a loving person, so patient, so encouraging. He was so generous and so funny. I admired his knowledge. He was so intelligent and wise. You both changed my life and I will be thankful for it forever. We have kept in touch throughout all these years. You both have always been an inspiration for me. Your love and respect for each other were unique. Your courage and strength to face difficult times were admirable. I feel so lucky to have you in my life. I will miss Kevin so much but I will be remembering him with a big smile in my face. Corinne"
"Sharon and family we are so very sorry for your loss. We will so miss Kevin?s wit, his sharing of historical facts, his generosity and our dinner conversations sharing sushi. We count Kevin as a great friend as well as you and Kevin being absolute warriors with great strength through difficult times. Darlene and Byron"
"Sharon and family you are in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories bring you comfort and peace. Carla McFarland"