Neal Vandenburgh

We are saddened to announce the passing of Neal Vandenburgh, beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather, on November 22, 2024 at the age of 85. He endured a long valiant battle with cancer, while maintaining his signature positive attitude and smile. Neal was admired as an intelligent, kind, positive person, always with a smile. Neal was admired as an intelligent, kind, and gentle person. He was surrounded by family and many close friends over his many years. Neal is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, sister Sara, and children Angela, Brian, Cristin and Darby. His legacy lives on within his family including seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren
Neal was born on December 16, 1938 in Texas. He completed grade school and graduated from high school in Oregon. Neal was Vice President of his senior class as well as lettering in track and football; however, his main hobby was working on cars. He completely rebuilt his first car, including lowering and painting it, all in his family garage during high school. During the summers, he worked with his father building and remodeling homes. Neal joined the National Guard while in high school and participated through his college years. Also, during his high school and college years he worked alongside the Forest Service surveyors in southern Oregon.
Neal attended a four year university, graduating with a degree in engineering. Out of college he worked for Simpson Strong Tie Structures; and in 1985 he and Dorothy purchased the assets of Simpson Strong Tie and renamed it The Structures Group SW. Structures Group flourished under his leadership and now is successfully owned and managed by his son.
Neal was an avid boater and enjoyed spending time at Lake Powell for 30 years. He and Dorothy also enjoyed their retirement days cruising the San Juan Islands for 15 years. On their longest adventure, he piloted their boat to Skagway, Alaska, hiking and crabbing up and back. He also loved traveling with Dorothy to over 16 countries around the world. One of their favorite trips was piloting a rental boat in the French canals outside Paris with their close friends.
Raised Presbyterian, Neal's faith supported and strengthened him throughout his life Neal and Dorothy raised their children in the Orangewood Presbyterian Church where Neal was ordained as an elder and member of the church Session for many years.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Orangewood Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Hospice of the Valley and please share a memory.
Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/4770588
Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1036150082
Most of my memories are of his teenage years, but all memories are of a brother who was always there for me, no matter what. He was never a bratty brother! He liked to laugh, but was also rather quiet, always nice to me, had an easy chuckle, and was continually doing interesting things. Because of our age difference, we didn't play together.we each did our own thing and didn't do that much together as a family. Growing up in the'50s in Ashland were simple times. Those were fun days where Neal and I could leave in the morning, play with our friends all day, then when Mom would wring the cow bell, we were supposed to come home for dinner. (I still have that cow bell).
The big thing I remember is that he always had a project he was working on, usually more than one at a time. Neal was a happy kid, seemed to look for challenges, liked to conquer them, then go on to the next challenge. He was curious, inventive, and creative. He had a great mind for figuring things out.
One of the first projects I remember was his decision to raise chickens (to earn money by selling them). Grandmother Katie lived a block away and had an old little chicken house and pen in her backyard. Neal fixed it all up inside, built the warming lights for the baby chicks, and started his business. He had a mean rooster that would chase after us when we entered the pen. In those days, a chicken dinner was a big thing for Sunday dinners. Of course we ate some of his chickens, so Neal showed me how he would chop off the head, then we all watched the body flop around in the yard before giving it to Mom to prepare for the evening dinner.
Besides football, Neal was interested in track. He ran the hurdles with finesse, but he was also interested in pole vaulting. He wanted to practice at home, so with his creative mind, he decided to set up his own private pole vault unit in our side yard so he could work on improving and mastering the vault. However, the side yard was sloped, which added more difficulty. He saw that as a good challenge! I remember watching him running down that sloping yard with his big pole, concentrating on how high he could get himself over the crossbar.
The high school didn't have typical gymnastics, but there was some competition in the high bar and parallel bars. Neal wanted to be stronger and more skilled, so once again he built his own practice area with a steel high bar at home in our backyard. He somehow attached it to a big tree. I watched him practice those crazy exercises, raising himself up, then working on swinging over the bar.
His deep love of working on cars seemed to take over his life at times. He set up his own auto shop in our little garage under Dad's shop, even building a device that would lift the engine right up, out of the car. He had unending patience and spent hours and hours in the garage, happily working on his car.
As a teenager in high school, I picture him as a "cool guy" (like Fonzie in Happy Days). He was quiet, smart, had confidence, respected by his classmates, loved by his friends, and was happy with who he was. He also had a "cool" car!
There's no way to describe Neal with words, because his spirit was unique like no one I have ever met. He was truly a gift to me throughout his life with his open heart, guidance, generosity, and love.
Written by Neal's sister, Sara.