Robert Charles Neff

ROBERT CHARLES NEFF Chicago, Illinois Bob Neff came to Chicago in 1965 with the goal of working in Moody Broadcasting. He celebrated his 40th year as Vice President of Moody Broadcasting for the Moody Bible Institute September 2005. He loved Chicago and he loved being on the forefront of using new technologies to expand the outreach of the network. He took the leadership helm in 1974 with three owned and operated stations and built the outreach to 38 owned and operated stations with 400 affiliate stations via satellite and 700 outlets. While he initially wanted all the United States to have quality Christian broadcasting available to them, his vision expanded to assist Christian broadcasters all over the world. His goal was not to take Moody Broadcasting to the world, but rather discover people in other countries who were starting fledgling stations and come along side them with whatever assistance would help them most. He knew they could best communicate the message in their country. Pursuing this vision, he traveled to 40 countries initiating partnerships. In the words of his wife, Miriam, "Bob was a man of singleness of vision and great energy and focus. It was hard for me to believe when I met him at Indiana University and he told me he would work at Moody Broadcasting that literally that was his life plan. It was, and what an adventure for our 41 years of marriage." Bob is survived by four children, two of which are adopted. Valerie (Neff) Hogan, John, Charles, and Rob. Also son-in-law Mark Hogan, and daughters-in-law Lori and Mia Khuu. He referred affectionately to his grandsons as his ROYAL grandsons, Edward, Albert, and Edmond Hogan. His son, John and his wife Lori also work in Moody Broadcasting. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Neff of Portage, Indiana and sisters Rebecca Shelton also of Portage, and Barbara Caban of Valparaiso, Indiana. Bob leaves a legacy of servant leadership in his broadcasting network. He believed in partnering rather than competing with organizations of likeminded mission. He served on the executive committee the National Religious Broadcasters as treasurer. He also served on the board of HCJB, an international Christian broadcasting and medical group. He was instrumental in working with the FCC to secure the distribution of programming of networks using satellite. His hobbies were racquetball, boating with his family, and painting his friends houses. He assisted in coaching his sons in soccer and later in watching his grandsons play soccer and basketball. He was an avid White Sox fan due to his father growing up on the south side of Chicago. He most wanted to be remembered as a man who served others. His coworkers, friends, and family would all agree that he lived what he said. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows, Illinois on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 5:00 P.M. Visitation will be held before and after the celebration from 2:00-4:30 P.M. and 7:00-8:30PM. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Bob Neff's life, donations may be made to radio station WRNF, Selma, Alabama, (WRNF-Selma Tower Project, 820 N. LaSalle BLVD, Chicago, Ill 60610)