A roommate at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna, Man., led Neil to the Lord in Grade 12. Singing was Neil’s favourite activity. After graduation, Neil sensed a call to service. He studied at Steinbach (Man.) Bible College (SBC); MB Bible College (MBBC), Winnipeg; Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan.; Fresno (Cal.) State College; San Jose (Cal.) State College; and MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno; earning BTh, BA and BD degrees. He married fellow MBBC student Louise after graduation. Neil taught 5 years at SBC. Their next 8 years were in Chilliwack, B.C. In 1979, Neil became the first full-time teacher at a Bible school training Mennonites from Mexico in Aylmer, Ont. After 29 years, Neil and Louise retired to Abbotsford, B.C., where they joined Louise’s home church, Clearbrook MB. Neil was active in the German, English and male choirs. He was a loving husband and a father who made time for his girls and many children he “adopted” in his ministry.
