Neff, Charles (1916-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Oct 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1916 Jun 25

text of obituary:

CHARLES NEFF

Charles Neff, 89, of Lebanon, Pa., died Sept. 17, 2005, in the Select Care unit of Lancaster General Hospital after a five-month struggle with leukemia. He was born June 25, 1916, to Amos L. and Mary Ellen (Reisner) Neff in Chicago.

He spent his childhood with the street cars and the hustle and bustle of the grand old city as his parents were actively involved in the work of an inner-city mission.

He early felt the call to medicine, and it framed a lifelong pilgrimage. His college-level work was done at Goshen (Ind.) College, Chicago University and Northwestern, and he completed his medical training at the University of Maryland. He practiced for 13 years as a country physician in Hartford County, Md. He received psychiatric training in a residency program in California and spent 15 years in the California State Hospital System at Porterville, Patton and Pacific State Hospitals. He also taught at Loma Linda University in the psychiatry program.

In 1972, he was asked to come to Philhaven Hospital as medical director, where he worked for 12 years and where he continued to work in retirement.

He was active in local and national medical societies. His long ministry in the healing community as a servant of the Great Physician was inseparably linked to his devotion to the fellowship of faith. He was an active member of Gingrichs Mennonite Church.

In August 2005, he celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary with his wife, Elizabeth (Royer) Neff.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; a daughter, Christina Neff Okamoto and her husband, Jeff Okamoto; and a grandson.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, John Timothy; and his only sister, Ethel G. Yoder.

Services were held at Bible Fellowship Church southwest of Lebanon. A graveside service was held at Gingrichs Church Cemetery.