Walter Erwin Neiswanger

Walter, I knew you mainly while we both served on the board of the art museum. You were tireless and fair, devoted to the museum and to good practices on its' part. You will always be with us, and we will always be grateful for your life.

Dr Walter Neiswanger was a true friend and a great mentor. I was fortunate to be a part of his extended family at Franciscan Medical Center from 1976 until the time I left the Quad Cities in 1988.

During those years, Walter and I grew to be good friends. I learned so much from him and we both came to appreciate our friendship. He treated me like a son, a brother, a colleague and a good friend.

Walter never let his financial status, his level of education or his positions in business and the community hamper his ability to get to know people.

He enjoyed learning, not only from the academic perspective, but from the human perspective. He was eager to learned and share with people from every walk of life.

Walter was without doubt a giving man in every way possible. He touched the lives of so many people and for all his efforts; I know he helped make us all a little better.

His ability to see and believe in me, helped make me better in my career, in giving to others and in learning from everyone. Even though we have been many miles apart for the past 19 years, every time I called, Walter always greeted me as his dear old friend and we would talk until we would catch up.

I will miss my dear friend, I know today he is somewhere better, meeting people, learning and looking for ways to help them too. God bless you Walter.

Dr. Neiswanger was my mother's cousin and she (Genevieve Shinners) told me of how skilled and generous he was. While it is sad that he is no longer with us, we are fortunate that his generosity will live on. I hope he is now enjoying a well deserved place in paradise.

The world has lost a champion for those less fortunate...such a quiet angel. I have a feeling he'll continuing advocating from up above.

Thank you, Dr. Neiswanger, for your years of commitment to our community. Your contributions to the arts, medicine and humanity truly changed people's lives.
I met Walter when he sponsored my college roommate's education, and later worked together closely on projects for Ghostlight Theatre. In the near twenty years that our relationship spanned Walter could not have given more; to my roommate who never would have been able to pay for his own education, or to our cause at Ghostlight. Dr. Neiswanger never asked for anything more than a "great show" and an effort on our part to involve young people. Walter acually appeared in our production of "The Will Rogers Follies" and though he had only one line he attended every rehearsal and was genuinely humbled by the ovations he received each night as he delivered flowers to the ingenue.
I can never express in words the positive impact Dr. Neiswanger had on my life. It was an honor to have known you, Walter, you will be sorely missed.

Dr. Nieswanger and my father, Dr. Charles Preacher, were colleagues and friends for many years. They ventured to many interesting locales together, including Antarctica and Haiti. Dad and our family had the highest regard for Dr. Nieswanger. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, and he will be greatly missed.

Walter was not only a great humanitarian…he was a dear friend. He gave to many causes he believed in, but what set him apart from many people was the effort he put into getting to know all of the people involved in the causes he contributed to…no matter how big or small there part was in it. I was involved in a theatrical production that Walter supported and what I remember the most about him was how he attended every rehearsal, how he would clap and scream, “Encore, Encore!!!” from the back of the Auditorium, how you would see him with a hammer or a paintbrush at set building asking, “What else can I do to help?” As if he needed to do more when he had already done more than enough. Forever giving, his generosity went beyond financial contributions. He offered his time, and his ear. Always open to see a show, grab lunch or a cup of tea. He was always eager to hear how you were doing, and his eyes lit up like a child when he talked about the next project he was assisting and how he had big hopes for it and the great things it would do for people it would benefit. I am glad to say he was my friend, and he will be missed greatly.

Walter will be missed dearly we have lost a wonderfull person as well as a Dr of science.

I have known Walter for almost 40 years and will certainly miss him. This past February I had the pleasure of having lunch at a local restaurant with him and spent the afternoon in his new condo. He was so proud of his condo. He will be missed by many.

Thank you Mr. Neiswanger for your service to our country. Our Heavenly Father has welcomed home another heroic American. From a fellow veteran.