Neal W. O'Connor

Gregvan · 31 January 2002, 04:40 PM

To All Forumites:

This will certainly be old news to most of you, but it was suggested to me that the following sad news needed to be posted.

Neal O'Connor, author of the superb and authoritative series of books on the "Aviation Awards of Imperial Germany in World War I - and the Men Who Earned Them", passed away in Princeton NJ on January 18. For some months Neal had been battling the debilitating effects of the neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and his suffering has finally ended. Neal was 76, and is survived by his wife Nancy and his sons.

Neal was a cum laude graduate of Syracuse University's College of Business Administration. His introduction to military history began when he served as a young infantryman in the 88th Infantry Division, seeing service in the Italian Campaign in World War II. He was later a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Neal was founder and President of the Foundation for Aviation World War I in Princeton, where for many years he had a private museum displaying his vast collection of military orders and awards, documents, photos and other memorabilia - it was truly an amazing display. Neal was an editor of Cross & Cockade, and later a member of the Board of Directors of the League of WWI Aviation Historians; he served as the League's first advertising/publicity and memberships manager/secretary, and eventually as its President. Neal's capable, knowledgeable and energetic leadership sustained and nourished the League in its formative years.

Neal was known and respected around the world as an authority on German medals, orders and decorations of WWI. In 1988 he published his first book, Volume I (The Aviation Awards of the Kingdom of Bavaria) or what would grow to be an amazing and impressive seven volumes on the subject of medals awarded to German Airmen of WWI. These books were the result of a life of research, and contain a vast amount of rare photos and unique information - not just about the medals, but about the men who received them. Neal's last planned book, Volume 7, was completed before the onset of the ALS. At last report, it is planned for publication in hardback form from Schiffer sometime this year. Neal's body of work amounts to over 2000 cumulative pages, an amazing output and legacy from a single individual.

Neal was even better-known in advertising circles than he was as a historian. In 1949 he joined N.W. Ayer Inc., the U.S.'s oldest advertising agency.He advanced rapidly in account management positions and became president in 1964 at 39. He was promoted to chairman and CEO in 1966, and is credited with reinvigorating the agency and bringing it back to national prominence during his tenure.

Neal was that great rarity, a consummate expert and authority who was always willing to assist anyone in their research, no matter how much of a novice they were. He was a true gentleman and generous to a fault. In recent years he had donated all of his British medals and documents to the RAF Museum, and all of his German medals, uniforms and other memorabilia to the MVT in Berlin.

He will be sorely missed.

Greg VanWyngarden

Dan_San_Abbott · 31 January 2002, 07:10 PM

Greg:
There will be a chasm were Neal stood. His contribution is immeasurable. Rest in peace Neal.
In awe,
Dan-San

Billy9 · 1 February 2002, 01:42 AM

Neal was a true gentleman in every respect. He was a good friend who was always willing to assist in my projects. He will be missed by many of us who had the good fortune to have visited him both at his home and museum.

Bill

Reinout · 1 February 2002, 01:51 AM

I am sad to hear of Neal's departure. I never had the privilege of meeting Neal, but I did get a helpful letter back and I know of his gentlemanly nature through other Forumites who have met him.

He enriched this hobby for us. In fact, Volume II of his series is the book that drew me into the WWI aviation hobby.

A salute,

Reinout

Rick · 1 February 2002, 06:30 AM

Amen, Dan and Bill. *RIP Neal. * * * R.

ONEALM · 1 February 2002, 07:59 AM

Gentlemen -

ONEALM · 1 February 2002, 08:16 AM

Gentlemen -
The celebration of Neal's life was held on the 26th in Princeton. The First Presbyterian Church just down the street from Princeton U. - an old and venerated Princeton icon - was full almost to overfilling.

There were several speakers, each recounting their memories of the slice of Neal's life that they had been part of and I am happy to say, his cut a wide swath through the lives of many people in many disciplines. We who knew him for his aviation work knew only the smallest part of his life.

The League was well represented by Jim Streckfuss, Peter Kilduff, Rob Tholl, Sue Hayes, Joe Holland, Peter Grosz and myself. Peter Grosz was a key speaker as was a representative from the MVT. The common themes during the ceremony were Neal's generous nature, his ability to engender loyalty from his friends and his commitment, in all his doings, to the proper and correct process. In friendship it meant a generosity and loyalty, in business it meant a determination to succeed and still keep his moral values intact and in his passion for aviation research it meant to uncover the stories of the legions of men who, but for Neal's efforts may have been lost to history.

In all it's obvious sadness and sense of loss, was a prevailing spirit of gratitude for having had the opportunity to know Neal. His family and friends seemed dented by his loss but relieved his struggle with ALS was over.

At the close of the ceremony, a single piper walked the aisle, playing Amazing Grace and as the strains began to fade, two more pipers and a drummer appeared, picked up the melody and continued with a pipers musical prayer. You could almost hear Neal smile at that. In the end, the strains faded, we once again reflected on the loss and went our seperate ways.

It was, in every way, a fitting tribute and I for one was happy to have paid my final respects to his family.

His work and legacy should be a guide, gentlemen. We would all do well to emulate them.

God speed Neal.

Amy · 1 February 2002, 11:43 AM

I can echo the sentiments that everyone else has expressed here. Neal will be sorely missed. In fact with me, he already is. :'(

G._Jacobs · 1 February 2002, 01:20 PM

Hello All,

There is not much to add to the kind words already spoken here. At the urging of another Forumite, I contacted Neal last summer requesting some details from him. In a series of correspondence, he always replied quickly and was most generous with his time and knowledge.

He was truly a magnificent historian. He will be sadly missed, not only because he was one of the last living researchers to actually know many WW1 airmen, but more importantly because, as one of you once told me "...he was a very nice man".

God's Blessings,
Gary

albatros · 1 February 2002, 03:05 PM

I can't match the tributes and plaudits that have preceded my post but suffice it to say that we should all be fortunate enough to leave such a lasting legacy in the form of his awesome books. Long after all of us have "gone west" Neal's books will live on for countless future historians. Raise your glasses gentlemen!