Kurt Neumann

Kurt Neumann
Easley

Kurt is survived by his wife Linda; daughter, Astrid Poggioli (Mark); son Marcus Neumann (Cindy) and 3 grandchildren, Eliott, Lauren and Jarred Neumann. Stepchildren include, Julie Dail (Roger), Deborah Wedekind (Larry), Samuel Pyle (Lesley), Paul Pyle (Rachel), Missi Pyle and 11 grandchildren.

Kurt Neumann was born to Frieda & Heinrich Neumann on February 26, 1936 in Elbing, Germany. He was the 2nd of 4 children; G�nter, Hanalore and Karin. Being a young boy during World War II, he occasionally would talk about heart-wrenching experiences he and his family had during the war. In spite of going through so much trauma, he was known to have a happy smile on is face and a twinkle in his eye most of the time.

Kurt came to the United States when he was 20, speaking only German and having very little money in his pocket. He said all he basically had was, his journeymen's papers for the tool and die trade. He found a job in the Chicago/German area, and married a girl from his hometown in Germany. They had 2 children, Astrid and Marcus and remained in the Chicago area for the next 20 years.

Astrid commented that her "Papa", as she calls him, was the Christian foundation for their family, and really loved the Lord . . . imparting that to his children. She tells of one experience where Papa had to be a nurse, saying, "When I was a young child, I decided to play "Mary Poppins", and fell out of a tree, hitting my head on the sidewalk. Papa was the one who shaved my head (not all of it) and got it all cleaned up. He was also there to take care of my brother Marcus' scrapes as well. She also said, "Papa loved music, especially hymns, and always had music playing in the house." Linda states, "The music never stopped, even while he was at the nursing home. The NHC staff knew how important his music was to him, and kept one of his cd's playing most of the time."

Kurt was thrilled when Astrid married for the first time at age 52. It didn't take him long to realize what a wonderful loving relationship Mark Poggioli and she had. He saw how truly dedicated they were to each other, and even felt Mark's love for him. Here are a couple of Mark's comments, "I only new Kurt for 4 years and 11 months, but he made a big impact on my life that I am very grateful for. My first encounter with Kurt was by phone. Astrid and I had a whirlwind courtship, becoming engaged after 3 months. Since Kurt and Linda lived on the Big Island, I had to take the awkward step to call a man I'd never met, and ask him permission to marry his daughter. Kurt quickly warmed to the task of inspecting me, and my intentions toward her . . . and I learned very quickly that he deeply loved his family and was very protective of them. I thank God for having Kurt as a father-in-law, even if it was for a short time. He was not perfect, but he was a role model, whose example we could all ponder and benefit from."

"One of Papa's favorite things to cook was German Sauerkraut", Astrid recalls, "and he often made a large pot of it for friends". Linda says this continued throughout his life, she and Astrid both remember his 70th Birthday party, and the roaster full of sauerkraut he had cooked for the 75 people who attended the party. Everyone said he made the best sauerkraut they ever tasted, including his son-in-law Roger, who turned his nose to it, until he tasted it. Kurt's Sunday School Class in Germantown, TN gave him the official name of "Krautmiester'.

Linda (Pyle) and Kurt met while Kurt and his family were living in Palatine, IL. Linda and her family attended the same church as Kurt's family. Kurt's daughter babysat for the 4 Pyle kids (at the time), and soon the two families became friends. It was about 10 years after the Pyle's moved to the Houston area that Kurt contacted them and found out that Linda was getting a divorce. Kurt immediately said, "So am I". That was the beginning of a 2-year courtship, which lead to their marriage in April of 1985.

After their marriage, Linda, her son Paul and daughter Missi relocated from the Houston area to the Memphis, TN area, where Kurt bought a home for his new family in Germantown. Missi was able to attend a high school that had a superior drama program. This enabled her to get a good start in her acting career, which has made her a prominent actress today.

Here are some of Missi's comments about Kurt: "He was a German immigrant who got to live the American dream. He was the hardest working man I knew. He was honest to a fault, and I never fought with anyone the way I fought with him! But, he was always the first person to come back and say, I love you and I'm sorry. I learned how to love, how to be wrong (sometimes, to be right), how to work hard, tip too much, fight for what you want, and how to be accountable from him. I am better for knowing him and am grateful for the opportunity to have known him."

Paul also has some thoughts regarding Kurt: he says, "Thank you Kurt Neumann for 30+ quality years you gave to my mother and for the Christian example you demonstrated to me in my teenage & young adult years. Despite my many failures as an adolescent, you never quit on me. I am the man I am today, doing what God has called me to do in part because you showed grace to me in a time of great need. It was there in Memphis, TN, during one of those occasions that the Lord called me into the ministry. That was 22 years ago. Thank you Kurt. I love & will miss you; but know that one day, I will see you again.

Linda's son Sam, also shared some memories of Kurt saying, "Kurt was faithful at catching EVERY sneaky act of mischief Paul, Missi & I were up to during our teenage & college years! And although we deserved severe punishment, Kurt showed extreme patience, grace and mercy, which we are forever grateful!" On a more serious side, Sam said, "Kurt was Faithful to his relationship with Jesus Christ, living a life that showed his Love and Commitment to his Lord and Savior. He was also Faithful to his wife Linda, my mother, always showing selfless acts of Love for her and even for her children and grandchildren . . . putting others first before himself. Of course, my most fond memory was praying with Kurt & seeing him & Mama praying together. We will miss you Opa. Thank you for shining your Light of Love into our family."

After Kurt retired from Smith Nephew in Memphis on his 65th Birthday, he and Linda flew to the Big Island, Hawaii 5 days later. They had bought a lovely little home in the friendly town of Laupahoehoe the year before, and moved in a week after his retirement. Kurt always said he lived in Paradise for the 12 years he was there! He truly felt blessed to have a home with a beautiful ocean view, great neighbors and a loving church family . . . Hamakua Baptist Church! During their years in Hawaii, all 7 of the children, Astrid, Marcus, Julie, Debbie, Sam, Paul and Missi, visited at their home, along with numerous other family members & friends from the mainland. It nearly broke Kurt's heart when he had to return to the mainland because of poor health in 2012.

Kurt and Linda moved to Easley, SC to be near Linda's daughter Julie and family. Kurt's Parkinson's disease was progressing quickly and by 7/1/14 he was admitted to NHC-Mauldin in the Greenville area. Linda is so thankful that God allowed him to be placed there, as it is such a wonderful facility . . . the staff is the Greatest . . . so caring and compassionate. Kurt truly loved all the CNA's and nurses, often kissing them on the hand when they helped him. Linda can't say enough for the excellent care he received there! While he was at NHC, daughters Astrid, Julie, Debbie, Missi and son Marcus visited Kurt as often as possible.

On 10/07 Linda was told at an NHC/Caris Hospice meeting that Kurt would not live much longer. After hearing this, Linda's daughter Julie & hubby Roger and their children, Brittany (hubby Michael), Brendon and Brad came to see Kurt to say their goodbyes. On 10/15 Kurt's son Marcus drove over from Atlanta to see his Papa for the last time. That evening, just before Linda was to leave for home, Kurt's charge nurse, Tracy, told her she thought he was going to pass soon. Linda then called her daughter Julie, who immediately came over, along with dear friends Rita & Jimmy. Linda called the other 5 kids, Kurt's brother G�nter and her sister Carol. Goodbyes were said over the phone. Then, after all the activity Kurt, rallied until Friday, 10/17, when he passed away very quietly with only Linda there to see him take his last breath.

The Lord was always very important part of Kurt's life, and one of his favorite Bible verses was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Right now, he is enjoying his heavenly home with his Savior & Lord, Jesus!

A small private gathering with Kurt took place at Robinson Funeral Home Saturday, Rev. Roger Dail shared words of comfort with the family and several friends.

There will be a Memorial Service on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 5:00 pm at River Road Baptist Church, 1714 River Rd, Piedmont, SC 29673. Everyone is invited to a meal following the service at the church's fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent "In memory of Kurt Neumann" to The Samaritan's Purse International Relief, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.