Neal R Tyson

Neal R. Tyson died peacefully in his home in Deerfield, Illinois on September 11, 2023. Neal was born Monday, March 9, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, second son to Simon (Ty) Tyrus Tyson and Adeline (Ad) Fox Tyson. Neal had a happy childhood roaming the north-side streets of Chicago with his older brother, Max, and his first cousins Marty and Matty. Under the not-so-attentive eye of his mother and aunt, they engaged in the normal youthful shenanigans on the streets . Neal attended Senn High School where he was a member of the Majestics Social Club and made a number of friends he maintained for his entire life. In addition, it was in Senn High School that he first met Myrna Liebman, whom he would later marry on January 2, 1964 after they had both graduated from the University of Illinois. Neal and Myrna were married just shy of 60 years.

In his own words, never much of a scholar, Neal found himself drawn to accounting for which he had a natural predilection. He graduated with a degree in accounting and sat for and passed the CPA exam. Always an avid sportsman, Neal spent his early married life crewing on competitive sailboats on Lake Michigan. Neal started his professional life working as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. Finding the role of tax rule enforcer not to his liking, Neal left after 1 year - much to the chagrin of his mother, Ad, who could not understand why he didn't just hold on for another 30 years to get that sweet government pension. Neal went to work for a CPA practice and, this too, was not meant to be.

Realizing working for others was not for him, Neal formed a partnership with Ron Katch and created Katch, Tyson and Company. Ron and Neal successfully grew the firm into a high quality small-client focused firm supporting both business and individuals with their tax and accounting needs over the course of 30 years. Neal loved his clients and his client's loved Neal. And Neal cared deeply about his staff, many of whom stayed with the firm for decades.

A loyal friend, Neal garnered many strong friendships throughout his life. He had a standing poker game for over 25 years and was an avid tennis player prior to the onset of his heart condition. Always a glutton for punishment, Neal was a lifelong Bears fan and former season ticket holder. The Cubs, Bulls and Hawks would come and go as their prospects waned.

The only thing more important to Neal than his firm was his family. Myrna and Neal had three children - Betsy, Gary and Judy. When it wasn't tax season, Neal could be found attending sports events, concerts and shows whenever his kids were involved. When his kids married, Neal welcomed the expanding family, embracing Gary's spouse Heidi and Betsy's spouse Steve.

And as devoted as Neal was as a father he was even more devoted as 'Grampy' to his ten grandchildren - Tyne, Jaryn and Avery Tyson, Bekka, Allie and Ian Hamburg and Mark, Kurt, Johnny and Lexi Plonsker. From talks about life, visits at college to driving car pools, Grampy was a big part of all of their lives. Often capturing the attention of his whole family at the end of a meal, he would regale in stories of his life. Always leaving everyone wanting for more.

Memorial service Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 2 PM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hadassah Chicago-North Shore, 60 Revere Drive, Suite 800, Northbrook, IL 60062, www.hadassah.org. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit Chicago Jewish Funerals website www.cjfinfo.com.