John B. Neff, a long-time resident of Abington, passed away on April 17th at the age of 89. Born on November 16, 1934, in Springfield, OH, he grew up in Dayton and graduated in 1952 from Roosevelt High School. Although accepted at Harvard College, he was considering enrolment at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis but was convinced by members of the Harvard Club of Dayton (who also addressed financial concerns by providing a scholarship) to head to Cambridge, MA. After graduation from Harvard in 1956, John joined the Navy and began training as a naval aviator in Pensacola, FL. He was honorably discharged in 1957 as a Lieutenant (j.g.) and returned to Ohio, where he taught 6th grade in Dayton.

He became intrigued by the relatively new field of hospital management and entered the inaugural class of the University of Michigan's Master of Hospital Administration program. He graduated in 1960 and obtained an administrative residency position at Hartford Hospital, where he met Shirley Hotra, an intelligent, engaging, and outgoing volunteer who became his wife in June of 1961. John and Shirley soon moved to Philadelphia, where John had been hired by Robert Cathcart to work at Pennsylvania Hospital, eventually becoming an Assistant Director in Administration.

In 1965, he was approached to take over leadership of Frankford Hospital, a community hospital in Philadelphia that was approaching bankruptcy. Over the next 32 years, he guided the organization on a remarkable journey that included its evolution into what became a sophisticated, two-campus healthcare provider known as Frankford Healthcare System (now part of Jefferson Health). He was privileged over those years to hire and work with highly capable administrative team members, many of whom advanced in their careers to executive and other senior healthcare industry leadership roles. John was a visionary in myriad aspects of hospital and healthcare management, including: early implementation of statistically driven cost accounting; development of optimal reimbursement strategies; early adoption and use of information technology in billing systems and medical records; negotiations and agreements with payors; creating alternative care delivery structures, programs, and entities; developing and influencing industry and government healthcare policies; and encouraging a broader view of the hospital's role in community healthcare. This included establishing the first Wellness program on the East Coast to educate about and promote "Wellness", to support better health, as well as attaining the full National League of Nursing accreditation for the Hospital's School of Nursing. During the majority of John's tenure, Frankford Healthcare System was consistently ranked among the very top Philadelphia-region health systems in terms of financial strength and stability, regardless of size. However, he never lost sight of an important factor to that success—that a community hospital exists to meet the community's needs. He understood the value of building relationships with and retaining the respect of the people in the community and the hospital's medical staff and employees, and of "paying attention to Main Street instead of Wall Street." John made a point of walking the halls and getting to know as many employees as possible, and even in retirement would be recognized and greeted warmly by them when he returned to the hospital for meetings or medical appointments. John was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served on or as a member of too many healthcare industry organizations and boards to list. He was also active with numerous other civic organizations, community groups and charities, and received many awards and recognition for his work with and in support of them, as well as for his service and success at Frankford and in healthcare more generally.

Although he worked long hours for many years, John had a wide variety of interests and still found time to pursue and excel at them. He retained a love of flying after his Navy service and was an instrument-rated pilot and part owner of a Cherokee 180-C. Over the years, he flew himself to business meetings and high school reunions, and even flew his family to several vacations in the Southeastern US. He had a love of music and was an accomplished singer who sang tenor in the choir at Abington Presbyterian Church for decades. After his retirement, he also sang for many years with the Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra. Of course, at any moment he might spontaneously burst into song, as those who knew him will confirm. He enjoyed deep sea and freshwater fishing, and always seemed to know where the lunkers hid in the lake in Bethlehem, CT, where Shirley's family had a cottage. A 5+ pound largemouth bass (preserved by taxidermy) graced the wall of his home office as proof. Of his many pursuits, John's favorite was golf. He was introduced to the game early in his hospital career, and over the decades in which he played, he improved to a handicap of 8, carded three holes-in-one, and shot a round of even par. He had the opportunity to play many of the best courses in the US and UK and was able to play them well.

Family was very important to John. Despite work demands that were often intense, John especially enjoyed family vacations over school breaks as well as spontaneous opportunities to join visits with extended family on summer vacation at the cottage in Bethlehem. After his retirement, he had the freedom to spend considerably more time with his children and grandchildren, including golf and many other trips with his children and their families, as well as frequent baby-sitting, birthday celebrations, holidays, etc., when the grandchildren were very young. As they grew older, John looked forward to watching his grandchildren in sports, concerts, and other activities, including graduations from high school and college, as well as to enjoying the extended family at holiday gatherings. John and Shirley also were able take a number of trips together to the UK, mainland Europe, and Scandinavia. John remained devoted to Shirley and, until his own health worsened over the last year, was able to provide extra support for her as her cognition began slipping.

John is survived by his wife Shirley; son John (Liz) and their children Alex and Katie; daughter Jennifer Easter (Dennis) and their children Colin, Liam (Dallas--fiancée), and John (Nicole) and great-grandson (Jett); and daughter Emilie Steigerwald (Jim) and their children Georgia, James, and Jack. A grandson (Matt Easter) predeceased him.

The family is grateful to the staff, care team, and hospice at Normandy Farms Estates, where he resided with Shirley for the past several years, for providing such compassionate and excellent care to John.

The family will be receiving visitors at Abington Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 4th, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, and all are welcome to attend a service of remembrance immediately following at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in John's memory to Jefferson Health-Northeast or your own favorite charity.