Lasting Memories

Neal Linton Person
July 29, 1932-May 2, 2016
Ellensburg, Washington

Neal Linton Person, 83, entered into Heaven on May 2, 2016 while tending his garden. Neal was born July 29, 1932 in Hector, Minnesota to Linton and Esther (Schwarzkopf) Person. Neal graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Neal married Ardyce J. Dobberstein in 1952 and while living in Minneapolis they had son, Kevin and daughter, Neala. Upon graduating Neal accepted a job with Kaiser Aluminum in 1957 and moved the family to Spokane, Washington. In 1960 Neal was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which confined him to a wheelchair the rest of his life. Neal and Ardyce separated and divorced in 1965.

In 1969 Neal was transferred to the new Kaiser Aluminum Research Center in Pleasanton, CA. Neal met Audrey Marie, at a divorce recovery meeting in Livermore, CA. On June 1st 1977, after all their children were in college, Neal and Audrey married, and settled in a home in Pleasanton, CA, and began enjoying their “Empty Nester Years”. They were active members of the Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed their travels to San Diego, Lake Tahoe and Spokane, WA. Neal took a wood carving class at the local recreation center and then entered a wood carving show, winning a prize on his first submission, opening the door for a “hobby” wood working business. Neal set up a shop in the garage and made wooden toys and traveled with a trailer of toys to local craft shows. There was always a backlog of orders for Neal’s custom ‘Rocking Horses’.

Neal was also an avid gardener, focusing on African Violets in the winter and tomatoes in the summer. Neal even bred a few unique varieties of African Violets! At the end of the day, after dinner, Neal could be found relaxing with Audrey, in his “special” chair, with his favorite cat “Ben” on his lap. Following the death of Audrey in 2002, Neal remained in Pleasanton, a few more years, before moving to Central Washington to be closer to family. Neal had a custom home built and spent his final years playing pool with his friends, tending his garden and house plants, weekly lunch meetings, and watching the Seahawks and Mariners.

Neal was a kind, intelligent, independent and talented man; who was loved and respected by his family and friends alike. They were truly blessed to be part of his life. Neal was preceded in death by his wife Audrey, his parents, and his sister Frances McCampbell. He is survived by his sister Lois Ulander, son Kevin (Carol), daughter Neala, grandsons Matthew (Julie), and Michael (Jennifer), great-grandson Bennett, and step-children George (Esther) Vasick, David (Lavonne) Vasick, Valerie Watterson, Janet (Cal) Lang, Mark (Lanhue) Vasick, and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.