Colonel Michael A. Neyland, USAF (Ret.) passed away on February 14, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born in Frankfurt, GE on February 11, 1949 and was the eldest son of Colonel Lewis, USAF (Ret) and Dorothy (Manley) Neyland. Mike received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Regular Air Force from the United States Military Academy in June 1971. He also held two additional advanced degrees. His Air Force career was dedicated to ensuring the success and future of the Air Force Weather Agency’s command, control, doctrine and operations. He held various positions of command and responsibility throughout his 30 year Air Force career.
Colonel Neyland’s military decorations include multiple awards of the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation, Air Force Commendation, Combat Readiness and Humanitarian Service Medals. He was also awarded the Aircrew Member Badge and Master Meteorologist Badge.
Colonel Mike Neyland continued service to his country for more than 17 years as a Senior Engineering Manager with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.
Mike was a member of the West Point Alumni Association, and Treasurer of the Northern Virginia International Plastic Modelers Society for 21 years.He was also a dedicated participant in Officer’s Christian Fellowship Bible Studies for 32 years.
Colonel Neyland is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joy (Rector) Neyland; children, Jenny Neyland, and Alex Neyland (Kathy); granddaughter, Caris Neyland; and his siblings, Rob Neyland (Deb and daughter Abbey), Dave Neyland (Sue and sons Zach and Thomas), and Kathleen Gustad (Kirk and sons Aaron and Taylor).
A Life Celebration Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314. A family visitation will commence at 12 PM followed by the Memorial Celebration at 2 PM. Internment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station (www.warriorfoundation.org).
811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314
03/03/2018
12:00pm - 2:00pm
I only met Mike once or twice, at hurricane conferences, and when he took a ride with us on the WC-130. It had been many years since he’d flown, but I let him take the ARWO seat, and he knocked out an aerial recon observation like he’d never left… and then corrected mine.
I was riveted by his story of how he once guided a plane home from a typhoon, a story that I’d heard before, but thought was just an urban legend until I heard it from the person at the center of the story. It became my favorite story to tell to generations of new ARWOs, as a prime illustration of “crew resource management”, that even if you are “merely” a weather specialist on the plane, you could save the day if you keep your eyes and ears open, and use your head (in Mike’s case, save an airplane and all souls on board).
The news of his passing spread yesterday with shock and sadness amongst some retired ARWOs at the National Hurricane Conference. What does it say about a person remembered so clearly after a single meeting, when others you knew far longer have faded from memory? It was a truly a privilege to have met him.
(p.s. I suggest be cautious of Dawn’s link above, I fear it may be malicious spam with the “tiny url” compressed address, which appears in other obituaries on this site, tho I did not follow the link)
Joy,
God brought Mike’s name to my mind this morning, March 26, 2018, and I did a Google search for home and found his obituary. We are so sorry to hear of your loss and pray that the Lord will continue to comfort you and your family.
Sincerely,
Don & Aurora Roth
Joy and Family
Mike was a great friend and super guy. I very much enjoyed knowing and working with Michael. Our closest association was at HQ AWS and HQ MAC in the mid 80s. Mike was the AWS Assistant Chief of Staff, and I was Chief of the Requirements Division in the Systems Directorate. Then Mike was at HQ/MAC XPQ when Fred Lewis, Mike Jamilkowski and I were in HQ MAC/XPP. We worked a wide variety of issues and walked that fine line between doing the right thing for all interests. Mike lived a long life full of family and friends and with God. I’m quite confident that Mike, if he had it to do all over again, wouldn’t change a thing.
Carmen’s and my prayers are with you and the entire family and with Mike–may he Rest in Peace in Heaven.
Tina and I were very saddened to hear this news. I talked with Mike about two months ago and he was upbeat in spite of his situation. To say the least I was extremely touched by his faith, courage and spirit. He will be deeply missed, but the world is a much better place thanks to Mike.
Mike was the best of the best as we all know. He epitomized duty, honor, country, faith, family, friendship and leadership. He was my Deputy XOW and a true friend, confidant, superior weather warrior, and absolutely outstanding leader with a long and distinguished career. Mike and Joy deeply touched so many of us with their wonderful friendship, faith, and support. Mike’s keen sense of humor, uncanny ability to resolve complex issues, loving spirit, and razor focus on mission success made him very special.
Mike was our Air Force Weather Statesman! His outstanding efforts definitely led the way to make Air Force Weather Reengineering a reality. He was at his best when we were in a crisis like supporting the air war over Serbia, the missions supporting the no-fly zone in Iraq and so many more. Mike’s personal relationship with Chief of Staff, General Michael Ryan, when Mike was the USAFE/DOW and then Deputy XOW, advanced many causes for Air Force Weather and our people.
Tina and my very special thoughts and prayers go out to Joy, Jenny, Alex, and the entire Neyland family. The World’s loss is Heaven’s gain.
Joy and Family – I was deeply saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. My condolences to Joy and his family. I was truly blessed to have worked with Mike as a fellow Sr. Technical Manager and later as Director of Engineering. We shared many years placing God and people first. Mike was a bright shining light for all of us. Never untoward, always encouraging and always with a smile on his face.
I will miss him greatly as a friend and a mentor. My life and all the lives of those that Mike touched are better off for having known him. Rest in Christ my friend.
To the Neyland family, please accept my condolence. May your hearts be filled with the wonderful memories of all the joyous times you spent with Michael. There will be a time when the sting of death will be no more and we will soon see our love ones again that we lost in death John 5: 28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life,” For more info, read or listen to the following article along with your copy of the Bible: tinyurl.com/mezwv23 because the information noted includes Michael.
Dear Joy,
You have lost your husband, but it is heaven’s gain, to the glory of God – another voice in the chorus praising our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I wrote to you earlier, he has not gone away, but rather he has gone before – into heaven, where there is no more pain, or sorrow, or tears, or suffering. Jesus has taken the sting out of death and given all of his children the hope of a better resurrection on the last day.
My sadness was mingled with happiness to learn that God had intervened in Mike’s life – mightily so – about the same time that he did in mine – to save him, and to make him a new creature. What a wise and merciful Savior we have.
Mike was such a good friend at West Point, where we were on the sport parachute team together. When we were on leave, it was a blessing to visit him and his very kind and generous family. We went our separate ways – he in the Air Force, and me in the Army. The years have not dimmed many fond memories of time that we spent together. He was one of the kindest and most dignified people that I have been privileged to call a friend.
Joy, I am sure that this is indeed a difficult time for you. We as Christians have hope, and we do not grieve as the world grieves, but death is still an enemy, and it hurts when your dearest and closest one is taken from you. It is our Lord Jesus, though, who has taken him, and he wants all of us to be with him, in heaven, whenever he calls each of us into his presence. I thank God that Mike was ready, and that he had such a ringing testimony of his faith in his blessed Savior.
Lord willing, I will be at his memorial service next week.
God’s blessings,
Alan for the Pohl Family
Everett, Washington
To Mike’s Family
I’m extremely shocked and dismayed to hear of Mike’s passing. I knew and greatly respected him during the time I attended the NOVA modeling club years ago and wish I’d gotten to know him better. He was one of the very few people you meet in life who quietly but distinctly exude goodness and honesty. We’ve lost a treasure.
As a Board member of Northern Virginia Modelers, International Plastic Modelers Society, I worked closely with Mike Neyland since 2010. Mike had everything we all would aspire to in a human being; integrity, courtesy and responsibility. He was my friend and fellow scale modeler. He was always generous in his praise of the modeling skills we had in the club never realizing how we were all in awe of him. As a club Officer he was our guiding light, always asking us to question ourselves before making any decisions.He was a true Gentleman and will be profoundly missed, as a friend and mentor, by all of us. For the club and myself, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Joy, Jenny, Alex and his extended family.
Joy, Jen & Alex:
You have made Michael proud….words & picture are wonderful.
gave up on the Post….thank God for google.
see you soon,
Cec & Norm
Faith, Family and Country. These words embody the essence of who Mike Neyland was as a man. Who among us can say they left the world a better place in Faith, Family and Country? I can vouch that Mike Neyland did.
I count myself fortunate to have known Mike as a friend and a co-worker. His counsel was always gentle, but unyielding and direct – he had a North Star in his life. For years I worked closely with Mike, then we moved to different positions and the time together diminished. On the occassions we did talk, it was like we were picking up on a conversation we had the day before.
Mike and I had many shared interests… family, weather, cars, Florida (Go Gators!). I teased him about graduating from West Point, but taking an Air Force commission (I still don’t get it :-).
I can’t help but feel sorry for myself, the world having lost a bright light for all things good. I just have to have confidence that Mike knew what he was doing by the way he lived his life, by constantly sharing his light, and that his light is not gone but endures as a part of everyone that knew him.
37 + years ago, Mike was an enthusiastic 9WS/DN. He and Joy added so much to our support to the 15th AF mission — both professionally and socially. A man of solid principal and faith, Mike leaves a legacy of outstanding service. Our personal condolences to Joy and family.
Joy my heart hurts so for you. I am so very sorry. The pain of losing him must be so great. To know he is out of pain and with his Lord is some comfort . I know you told me he was in so much pain. For you to watch him like that had to be the worst thing in the world for you. He is well now. But there truly are no words that will make the hurt better.