Donald Neal

We think of you every Saturday night at Red Lobster...

So many fond memories of Mr. Neal. He was my music teacher for years, and I took private lessons from him. I still remember the inside of his home like yesterday, and yet it has been over 38 years ago. He also allowed me to make copies of the Deckard geneology book in his possession- one that has been out of print for decades. What a great gentleman. Rex Deckard

So I'm sitting on my patio this morning on Venice Beach with my best friend Judy Melrose-- and only doing so because she and I first met in 6th grade at Central in beginning orchestra. She played violin and I was cello. Thanks again, Mr. Neal. You still rock!!

Mr. Neal was one of the most important influences in my life. I have never met such a gentle loving spirit. For 7 years he gave me private lessons and taught me in Middle and High Schools. I learned Viola, Violin and Cello from him, but sadly had to stop before learning the Bass. If I had I might be playing in some Country or Blues band today! But I suffered unrelated nerve damage in both arms and sadly was forced to stop playing my strings. His lessons in life are what I can still take with me today. He will always have both my love and admiration along with thanks for the quiet moments when I could hear the strains from his porch swing of another string player playing some scale or lovely piece. Beginning string players and advanced players together owe so much to his care, skills and patience!!
We love you Mr. Neal, watch over us all!!
John Pounding Stone Marsischky

I had Mr. Neal at Bachelor, playing the violin, and at Binford and Child's Elementary before that. I remember most him sweating profusely as he taught so passionately. I played the violin but didn't really enjoy it as much as I now appreciate still knowing how to play. I very much regret that I didn't appreciate the violin and him more back then. It seems so long ago.

I still remember when Mr. Neal came into our 5th grade class at Child's Elementary to share his playing the violin. The way that he played had me hooked, & then I had to start piano lessons before I could learn how to play the violin.
I had him in class at Binford Middle School & I think for a bit at Bloomington High School South as well as for private lessons.

I remember going to Muscatatuck State Hospital to play for some of the patients there several times.
That made a lasting impression on me.
Not only did he care about music, others, church,etc. he cared about those in that hospital who needed love & to hear music that he loved which seemed to be a blessings & calming for them.

When in class or in a private lesson he was always very kind, but firm, & a very good teacher.
Enjoyed waiting on the porch swing before lessons, & every once & awhile having some fun talking or throwing some puns around.
I remember one day I was being a bit of a stinker & asked him where Bach was born.
He said in Germany, & then I said, "No Mr. Neal he was actually born in the Bach room."
We had fun going back & forth for awhile, & not getting much of the lesson done that day, but I won't forget the time having fun or others really getting down to business practicing/playing together.

I think he & my grandfather were in this saying together, "As they say in Carnagie Hall, 'Practice, practice, practice!'"
That I did through highschool & into college.
Just wish I could have kept up after that, but unfortunatly that didn't happen.
Hope & pray will be able to pick the fiddle up again.
As with others, he used to ask me when I would see him if I had stuck my fiddle under my chin.
We would see him at Ladyman's, MCL in the College Mall & when they moved to the west side, Golden Corral, or on the street somewhere.

I didn't know that he had passed away until a friend of mine mentioned it recently.
Will miss his deep voice, the way he could play his fiddle & really make it "sing", & so many other things that I will cherish in memory.
He was a very dear friend, Christian brother, teacher & will greatly miss him.
Look forward to seeing him again playing that fiddle in Heaven.
Until then Mr. Neal.

Mr. Neal was my violin teacher and he also went to school with my mother. After college I moved to another state, but whenever I came back to Bloomington to visit my parents we would often see him at College Mall or in MCL and he would always stop and chat. I will always remember him as considerate, kind, dedicated, passionate about music, and a wonderful teacher and friend.

Dear, dear Mr Neal. I was fortunate enough to work with him at Batchelor Middle School and under his tutelage at Bloomington High School. No matter how many schools he had to get to in one day, he made you feel yours was the most important. God Bless. Jennifer Lucas

Knowing Don was a blessing, from my high school days at BHS through his last ones. He always went out of his way to greet my family and me whenever we happened upon the same restaurant (usually MCL or Golden Corral), and he never failed to ask, "How's that brother of yours?" though Mark had years ago moved to Texas. I never had the opportunity to hear Don sing, though I would have loved to, having heard the richness of his speaking voice. This voice will indeed be missed by all.

I am so sorry to say that I just found out yesterday (1/17/11) that Mr. Neal had passed away. Mr Neal was my violin teacher for three years in middle school and I also took private lessons with him. When I came home to Bloomington after moving to NY, I would usually see him in either Ladymans or MCL and we would catch up on each others lives. He would ask "Have you been tucking that fiddle under your chin"? and we would laugh. He was always so gentle, kind and respectful to everyone. I feel blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing him. I will miss him very much! Gina Griffith Englander (Scarsdale, NY)

Donald Neal was a first cousin of my Mother, Zella Bagley Heller. He would come to our home, practice with my Mom and perform a violin/organ duet at the Methodist Church in Lawrenceburg. He was always delightful, a gentleman, and a professional. He had great talent. He will missed but will always be remembered by his earthly contributions.
God Bless.

Ruth Heller Kern
Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I met "Mr. Neal", who would drive into the parking lot of the old Central Junior High School daily in what we (affectionately) called the "Neal-mobile", in 1967, the year the school also burned down. He conducted our school orchestra with the patience beyond that of a saint. Although he had many good reasons to get annoyed and chastise us (" ...now people ..."), he always maintained discipline and corrected our bowing because it was always going "caddywompus". The music he challenged us included a tricky Paul Hindemith quartet now and then, but he also loved LeRoy Anderson's crowd pleaser, "The Typewriter", and took his musical responsibilities as conductor very seriously. His conducting style demonstrated verve, intensity, concentration and focus and perseverance. I will never forget his most thoughtful appearance at my mother's 80th birthday party in Indianapolis and our family was delighted to see him once again. He certainly brought back very very good memories. I am sure all string players in and from Bloomington (and there are quite a few) will remember Don Neal with great smiles and gratitude. Don, thank you for the many hours you gave to us as we learned the repertoire. (Georgia Flaten Shaw, Bethesda MD)

Donald Neal was my first violin teacher, beginning in 1944 and ending in 1950, when I enrolled as a violin major at Indiana University. I still have my first violin lesson in his handwriting, and it is one of my treasures. He played at my wedding reception in 1958, and I will always remember how surprised and delighted I was seeing him as I arrived at the reception.

He was perfectly suited to his chosen field, highly competent as a performer, patient, kind, and understanding. I am sure that thousands will remember him and mourn his passing.

How joyously we remember "Uncle" Donald's big brown Cadillac coming up our driveway when he visited our Mom and Dad (cousins John Neal and Edna Bagley)--what a wonderful, talented, and kind man. He is now in glory, surrounded by loving family and string quartets. Rest in peace, Don, and God bless.

Mr. Neal will live on through his teaching of music to many students, some of who have taught others, who have/will teach others, and so on. He was the most patient gentleman I've known. I still hear him reminding me that my 4th finger is too sharp/flat when I play! He will not be forgotten.

A legend among his peers, a musical mentor to generations, those fortunate enough to know Mr. Neal could not help but be affected by his mere presence and uplifted by his kind soul. Private lessons, Central, Batchelor, Ladyman's for lunch, Cadillacs, shades drawn and the little white house. He will be remembered and truly missed. Joel Shields, Venice, CA

It was always a pleasure to see Mr. Neal. He came in every Saturday and ate with us at Red Lobster. He will surely be missed. Love and condolences to his myriad family and friends.
Jay Eubanks

Mr. Neal gave me private lessons up until the summer of this for the last five years. He still played beautiful music, and even though he could barely hear your voice he could pick out any out of tune note. He was the most generous, kind hearted man I've ever met. I will always miss him dearly.

Mr. Neal would eat at Red Lobster every Saturday evening. Watching him drive up in his Cadillac and waiting for his no-matter-how-busy-we-were greeting, "Do you have room for 1 more?" became a weekly standard. If for some reason he would not be dining with us, he would call and let us know so we wouldn't worry about him. Mr. Neal would bring things in to share with the Managers and crew members such as photos of his past or slogans he collected from side-of-the-road Church marquees ie. "The best vitamin for a Christian is B1". Mr. Neal will be missed.

He was a super nice guy.Thought a lot about him.

I sang in the choir at FUMC with Don and I only knew him a couple of years, but in that time I grew to respect him and what he meant to a lot of people. He will be missed.
Paula Reynolds, Soprano

Mr. Neal was my violin teacher for over a year, in the 50's. Although about all I could do with my violin was make it squeak; I wished mine could make the beautiful music his did, and oh my his vibrato was SO AMAZING!!! Mr. Neal was a fine example of a wonderful, dedicated violinist and a sincerely beautiful Christian man. We will miss him so! Margaret Meyer

I went to University High School (and Junior High) between 1947 and 1952. During that time I took private violin lessons from Don Neal. I remember him as patient and so encouraging. In more recent years I'd run in to him at the restaurants he - and my father - seemed to enjoy, and he never failed to encourage me to get out my old violin again. He was a positive influence on my life. RIP Mr. Neal.

I met Don at Ladymans Restaurant. We talked alot and he always listened to my problems. I am 82 years old and I will miss my good listener and my friend.

Don taught me a great deal by his quiet, steady and gentle servitude.

We all remember and respect Mr. Neal, his integrity, and his devotion to students of music. Even nearly half a century later, no memory of the Seminary Building can be complete without an image of Mr. Neal, his trusty viola at the ready. Rest in peace.