Phil Neff

The year 2024 closed on a sad note with the passing of Phillip R. "Phil" Neff, 83, on December 31. Phil was one of Wichita's most active advocates and 40-year civic leader.

Phil passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Phil was born in 1941 to parents Lester and Fern Neff in Warrensburg, MO. In 1948, the family moved to Wichita, KS.

Phil attended Wichita Lutheran Grade School where he met his good friend Leon Lungwitz.

Phil attended Robinson Intermediate School, a time when friendships were formed that would last a lifetime. They weren't just friends but a part of a tight knit group that included Bob Anderson, Roger Wilson and Bill Davis. Their antics created many lifelong memories.

He attended East High School his sophomore year and Southeast High School his Junior and Senior year where he graduated in 1959.

He then entered Wichita University and earned a degree in business administration, with a major in marketing, in 1963.

While at Wichita University, Phil was a member of Delta Upsilon, where he met many of his life-long friends.

The most momentous event during those years was when he met Sharon Greenstreet, a beautiful girl he had noticed walking on her way to work at Hinkle's department store, which was another retail store just a few doors down from Kern's, where he worked. Mustering his courage to introduce himself and ask her for a date, he was amazed when she accepted. This lead to their marriage on September 1, 1963 at East Heights United Methodist Church. Their daughter Jennifer, the true light of Phil's life, was born in 1967.

Phil began his illustrious career in 1964 with Davis Manufacturing, where he rose to be a regional manager. He worked from 1969-1971 in sales for New York Life.

Recruited in 1972 by his very good friend and neighbor Brian Johnson to join local insurer Dorth Coombs, Phil began his highly successful 31-year career with that company. He quickly became a partner. Over those three decades, the company evolved from a Wichita entity to part of London-based Willis Group. In 1991 Phil took over as CEO for the Willis of Kansas office.

1998-2003 Phil lead the national employee benefit practice for Willis North America and Western Europe.

Phil retired at the end of 2003 and started PRN Consulting, Inc. until 2005.

In 2009 Phil and Sharon bought 160 acres in Severy, Kansas. This property became a great passion where many memories were made. These memories were highlighted by their yearly summer parties.

His civic leadership over multiple decades included service as chairman of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce in 1996, a board member of Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas from 1997-2003, WSU Foundation's National Advisory Council from 1998-2020, including a stint on the board from 2001-2006, executive committee with Big Brothers and Big Sisters from 2005-2013, board member of Via Christi Health System from 1997-2009, serving as board chair from 2002-2007, and Wichita Community Foundation where he was a board member from 2003-2012, serving as board chair in 2008 and 2009, and serving as interim president and CEO from May 2012-November 2012.

While he achieved many professional accomplishments, his greatest accomplishment was being "gpa" to granddaughters, Alexis and Ali, and "great-gpa" to 4-year old Rogue, 3-year old Cruz, and new-born, Harlowe, who was born on December 28.

Phil is preceded in death by his parents Lester and Fern Neff. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Neff; daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Hall; brother, Tim (Susan) Neff; brother-in-law, John (Nancy) Greenstreet; granddaughters, Alexis (Derick Keith) Sherwood, and Ali Owens; great-grandchildren, Rogue Owens, Cruz Owens, and Harlowe Keith; and nieces and nephews, Natalie (Ryan) Clark, Chelsea Neff, Josh Neff, Julie (Steve) Burkhart, Jamie (Mark) Avery, and Natalie (Michael) O'Shaughnessy.

Memorial service will be at 1:00pm, Thursday, January 16, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. A reception will be held at the Cozine Life Events Center immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks consideration of donations to:

The Phillips Fundamental Learning Center
14533 E Sharon Ln
Wichita, KS 67230

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Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
313 S Market St
Wichita, KS 67202