Herb Neils
Herbert “Herb” Winston Neils, 82, died Jan. 2, 2009 at the St. Francis Hospice in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mr. Neils was born on Feb. 21, 1926 to Walter and Alma Neils in Libby where his father managed the lumber mill. The J. Neils Lumber Co. was noted for its sustained-yield logging practices which preserved the forest in its natural state as opposed to clear cutting.
After high school, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and advanced his education at the University of Montana and Gunsmith Schools. He met Lois (Mickey) Vandertie while attending the University of Montana, they married in 1949 and divorced in 1974. She died in 1995.
Mr. Neils worked a number of years for J. Neils Lumber Co. He also owned and operated Herb’s Sport Shop in Libby and later built the Libby Racquet & Swim Club to teach tennis in collaboration with Billie Jean King and Dennis Van Der Meer, who founded and directed the Tennis America Program for Juniors (1965-75).
In 1978, he married Patricia Neils, who is a history professor at the University of Hawaii’s Leeward Community College. Together they have traveled the world playing tennis, hunting, hiking, camping and sightseeing. The couple maintained two homes, one in Honolulu, and one in Libby.
He is the author of two books: “A Hunt for the Great Northern” (1995) and “The Greatest Trophy” (2008). Herb has also written numerous stories and articles for magazines. Besides being an author and tennis teacher, he was a big-game hunter, an environmentalist and a conservationist. In March 2008 he was awarded a Lifetime of Service to Tennis Award from the U.S. Tennis Association.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughter, Christine Lee who is a flight attendant with Delta Airlines and lives in Salt Lake City; his son, Thomas who lives in Federal Way, Wash., and works for Boeing Co.; his sister, Marilyn Haberstroh who lives in Ft. Collins, Colo.; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard and Edward.
Memorial services will be held at St. Patrick Church at Seventh and Waialae Avenue in Honolulu on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m.
Memorial Gifts in lieu of flowers for can be made to:
• Wings, Regional Cancer Support, P.O. Box 7852, Kalispell, MT 59904
• St. Francis Hospice, 24 Puiwa St, Honolulu, HI 96817
• St. Patrick’s Church, 1124 7th Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816
• “Herb Neils Memorial Tennis Courts” c/o First National Bank, Libby, MT 59923
A second memorial service will be held in Libby on Saturday, May 16 at a place and time to be determined. Inquiries can be made with Pastor Dave Nelson.