Ill just add (to my initial post) that Neal loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor, sometimes a bit wry and dry. I remember sitting on porch with him and a few other graduates during a slow moment on graduation weekend. There was a pause in the conversation and Neal said, So, thats college. There was a finality in that which surpassed all the graduation ceremonies.
John (Dee) Copenhaver
June 04, 2019 | Winchester, VA | Friend
So sorry to hear of Neal's passing. I have often wondered what he was doing since teaching me in 1979 at TT. Such a talented teacher, artist and personal inspiration. Just a wonderful, fun individual who will be truly missed.
John Gunderson
July 27, 2015 | Fort Worth, TX
My deepest condolences. Neal was my first design professor at Texas Tech in 1979. He was an excellent teacher who taught by inspiring and motivating us. He will be greatly missed.
Kevin Murray
July 02, 2015 | Plano, TX
Sad to learn of Neal's death. He was a good friend to me during my freshman year at Washington and Lee University, and during our time as brothers in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Over the years we lost touch but I'm grateful for his many contributions to landscape architecture, to his community, and especially to his family.
John Copenhaver
June 15, 2015 | Winchester, VA
I can remember dancing with Neal at a backyard party in 6th or 7th grade. So handsome and nice. I'm sorry to hear of his death. Sounds like he led a full life.
Adelle tarwater dowling
June 12, 2015 | Midland, TX
James Neal Rassman, 66, died June 7, 2015 at home in Wilmington, N.C. Neal grew up in Midland, TX, the son of Emil C. Rassman and Annie de Montel Rassman. Neal graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA where he excelled academically and in sports, establishing the 220 yard hurdle record that stood for many years. He was a graduate of Washington & Lee University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in History. Neal later received a Master?s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Texas A & M University. He became a landscape architecture professor at Texas Tech University and later a tenured professor of landscape architecture at Kansas State University where he received the ?Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award? in 1985. Subsequently Neal moved to Charleston, SC where he taught landscape architecture as an adjunct professor and lectured at The College of Charleston. Later he retired to Wilmington, NC where he cared for his mother until her death. Neal traveled extensively studying and photographing gardens and historic landscape design. In retirement his passions were family history and painting in watercolor. Neal was an extremely bright, eloquent, observant, thorough and loving person. He was generous and thoughtful, going out of his way to improve the lives of friends and strangers alike, with small acts of kindness. Neal is survived by his sister, Laura Rassman Bates (Ned), nephew Edward Ellett Bates, III and niece Tyler Bates Novak. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday June 12, 2015 at Andrews Mortuary Market Chapel. Memorial gifts may be made to Washington & Lee University 204 W. Washington St. Lexington, VA 24450 or New Hanover Humane Society 2405 N. 23rd St. Wilmington NC 28401.Condolences to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel
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