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Neil King Obituary
Neil was born on September 23, 1929 in Chicago and was raised in Skokie, IL. After graduating from Evanston Township High School, Neil headed to Yale University, where he was a champion Ivy League pole vaulter. Following his graduation from Yale, Neil served as a naval officer during the Korean War.
Following his naval service, Neil returned to Skokie to join his father in Armond King Real Estate as a broker, appraiser and counselor. He served as President of the North Shore Board of Realtors and of The Counselors of Real Estate. Very active in business and civic affairs, Neil served on many boards, including that of Skokie Valley Hospital (now North Shore Skokie Hospital) for 50 years. He loved the Skokie Public Library and the Skokie Rotary Club, where he and his father both served as president and whose meetings he attended weekly even after moving to Chicago.
Always up for an adventure, in 1975 Neil sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with his teenage son in a 36' sailboat. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Chicago's Adventurers' Club, where he enthralled his grandchildren with shrunken heads, the giant stuffed bear and the flags suspended from the ceiling commemorating several of his own escapades. A natural athlete, he also competed as a decathlete, a marathoner and a runner well into his seventies.
Above all, Neil treasured his family and friends. Neil is survived by his wife, Diana; his sisters Susan Gaede and Louise Webb and cousin Susan Leonard; his children Marcia King, Steven King (Melinda), Carolyn King and Alison Bastien (Helio); Diana's children Charles Theobald (Sara) and Margit Nahra (Kirk); nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. At Neil's request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Neil King
Bill McDowell
July 25, 2024
Diana, please accept my belated condolences on Neil's passing. I was trying to find him to share a small world encounter I had today which would have amused him to no end, and very sad to learn why that's not possible. He was a wonderful man.
All best wishes, Bill
Carl J. Halperin
May 17, 2024
Remembering my friend Neil on the first anniversary of his death... with love and gratitude!
Carl Halperin
Christina Kärrqvist
January 4, 2024
My condolences to you Diana, who I have tried to reach for a long time now. I know you were very happy with Neil and I hope you will still find life worth living. Your second cousin in Sweden. Christina Kärrqvist.
Bill McCann
June 1, 2023
Neil was a great friend and always willing to drop what he was doing to help others. As a young appraiser with an assignment in Skokie, I stopped into Neil's office in the hopes of finding some "comps". He took time away from his work to assist me and was a great help. We became friends and as an appraiser, Neil and I worked on many assignments together, for both small and large Chicago law firms. We were retained, on a number of occasions, to testify as expert witnesses on opposite sides of real estate litigation. We had a lot of fun discussing the results of the trial--no matter what the results. Neil was a total professional and an excellent athlete. He was seriously injured while out jogging one morning across Lake Shore Drive. His guts and determination got him back on his feet to resume both his real estate practice and athletics. Neil made the world a better place and he will be missed by all that knew him.
Elizabeth J. ( Betsy) J Rutledge
May 31, 2023
Dear family,
Dick and I are greatly moved by this incredible description of our very outstanding and kind friend!
He will certainly be missed by us and people who knew him.
My acquaintance individually began at high school level, whereby his two pleasant sisters were in my later class( 1952).
So many abilities and interests, all packaged in one lovable man, are
difficult to find.
We send our deepest sympathies for your loss!
God bless and with love,
Betsy Rutledge ( and Dick)
Leslie Mearns Quinones
May 24, 2023
Neil and my father were roommates at Yale. Neil was always a bright light to our family. He asked the best questions and encouraged all of us.
Carl Halperin
May 23, 2023
Neil and I were introduced through Diana, who was my neighbor in Evanston when I was a boy.
Neil welcomed me into the family, and we became fast friends. In recent pre-pandemic years, when I returned to Chicago, I stayed with Neil and Diana. We enjoyed live theatre, Lyric Opera, movies, and fine dining together on those visits.
Neil was a kind, generous, thoughtful, curious and upbeat gentleman. I will remember him always.
My sincere condolences to Diana and the family.
George Cybulski MD
May 23, 2023
Neil was a wonderful man! I had the privilege to be one of his doctors and that was the beginning of a great relationship that was a delight! I enjoyed his inspirational outlook on life and remember him with great respect and honor.
LAWRENCE OKRENT
May 23, 2023
I have regarded Neil as a role model since I first met him. He was smart, funny, kind, adventurous, loyal, generous and charismatic-as complete and accomplished as any man could hope to be. He will always be held in the highest esteem and deeply missed.
Mary H. Anderson
May 23, 2023
Condolences to Diana and the family. I was always
happy to run into Neil at Lyric or over at the
Cultural Center. Mary H. Anderson
Coach Pat Savage
May 23, 2023
I first met Neil when I started teaching and coaching at Niles West HS. Neil would come over to help coach our pole vaulters. Later on I would meet him at various road races in the area. I again met Neil a couple of years ago at Adams and Michigan when we were both out walking. Neil was always upbeat and always willing to help and volunteer his coaching. Sending condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Mary Ann Cronin
May 23, 2023
I first met Neil years ago as a new member of the Realty Club of Chicago. I was immediately impressed, and over the years, always enjoyed sitting next to him at the Friday speaker´s lunch to share conversation about the day´s events. At one point he added me to his large distribution list of fans of his travels. Phenomenal photos. What a consummate professional and wonderful person! We will miss him. MAC
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