Thomas "Neil" Longfellow

Thomas "Neil" Longfellow passed away peacefully at home in Newberg, Oregon, on Thursday, October 9, 2025. He was 92. In his final weeks, Neil faced declining health with the same steadiness and determination that marked his life.
Born September 6, 1933, in Taylor County, Iowa, to Thomas Nelson and Mary Elizabeth (O'Dougherty) Longfellow, Neil was the youngest of four boys raised on a small farm along the Iowa–Missouri line. That rural childhood fostered a lifelong spirit of resourcefulness, curiosity, and the conviction that almost anything could be fixed or built with patience and good sense.
After graduating from McMinnville High School (OR) in 1951, Neil served as an Electronics Technician in the U.S. Navy, stationed mainly at Pearl Harbor aboard the submarine chaser PC-1145, with time in the Marshall Islands on sea-air rescue duty. Following his honorable service, he earned a B.S. in Accounting from Northridge State College in 1961 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1963.
Neil began his career in public accounting and, in 1965, joined First Interstate Bank in Portland. Over the next two decades he served as a credit analyst, manager of Corporate Finance, and later head of Corporate Accounting, ultimately retiring as Senior Vice President and Comptroller. Colleagues knew him as principled, steady, and exacting-yet always kind.
On October 14, 1955, Neil married the love of his life, Eunice (Ryan), beginning a partnership of 70 years. Together they made homes in Tigard, Eugene, and Newberg, raised their children, and built a life full of curiosity and adventure. Neil liked to try his hand at new things-whether sailing, building, traveling, or growing something from the ground up-and he often stayed with whatever captured his imagination. He faced life's challenges with energy, ingenuity, and wisdom.
Service and faith were central to his life. He served as a Deacon and Elder at Calvin Presbyterian Church (Tigard), on the Tigard Water District board, and with organizations such as Portland Family Services, Goodwill, and Holladay Park Plaza. He was also active in the Financial Executives Institute, later serving as chapter president.
Neil is survived by his wife, Eunice; his children and their families; and a wide circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss his steady presence and ready smile. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at Duck Pond Cellars on November 8th at 3:30 for family and friends. Interment will held privately.