Schilmoeller, Neil, 1934-2015

SCHILMOELLER, LUDWIG, GATES

Posted By: Mary L Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2017 at 19:24:48

Neil Schilmoeller was born to Albin and Mathilda (Ludwig) Schilmoeller on July 9, 1934 in Granville, Iowa. He spent his early years on the family farm with four siblings and literally hundreds of close family members. After a stint in the Army, Neil fell in love and married Jan Gates on August 30, 1956 in Marcus, Iowa.
They spent the next 59 years living a very special life partnership. They began their life together in Ames, IA where Neil earned his PhD in Nuclear Engineering in 1965 (with all six kids in tow). After leaving Iowa State University, he taught at the University of Illinois and Notre Dame. In 2000, he retired from professional engineering where he had used his skills to address the energy needs of countries around the world.

Upon retiring, Jan and Neil took up flying and moved to Roxborough Park, where they built a home large enough for a crowd.. From then on, you could often find children and grandchildren sprawled in all corners of the house. He spent his free time participating in church and community organizations, playing Pinochle and Bridge, and following national and international politics, but most of all he loved spending time with close friends and family.

Although he left formal teaching in 1974, he continued on as a consummate teacher to all who passed through his life. He was a founding member of the Roxborough "Chautauqua" group that explored topics from Civil Liberties and Climate Change to Chinese Medical and local Native American Traditions.

He never met a stranger. Always supportive and the first to shed a tear, he will be missed. Neil leaves behind a legacy of love and family, optimism and humility and two very busy bird feeders.

He passed away, surrounded by his family, in his home in Littleton, CO. on Dec. 28, 2015.
Neil is survived by his wife; Jan, six children; Jean, (Walt Boylan,) Jim, Joellen (Marc Seabock), Jacque (Brian Killian), Jennifer, and Jane; and 10 grandchildren; Kathleen (Claudio Arriaza Botto), Kevin, Carah, Sarah, Haley, Ericka, Austion, Karenna, Monet, and Riley.

Source: Siouxland Press 2/24/2016