Jeffrey Richard Neff

Jeffrey Richard Neff, 76, died on January 7th, 2026, at home, followed by a short illness. He was born at home in Sutersville, PA to Herman and Kathleen Neff.

He attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he received his BS in chemical engineering and a PhD in organic chemistry. He met his wife, Alice, at CWRU in 1967 and they married in 1971. After earning his PhD they moved for a year to Baltimore, MD to do research in a post graduate doctoral position.

In 1976 Jeff began work at Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY. He held many positions in film manufacturing over his Kodak career until retirement. During his career he developed a love of photography, wine education, and travel.

After retirement, he and Alice moved to Golden, CO, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where they enjoyed hiking, biking, and skiing. He wanted to live close to family.

Jeff loved tasting and learning about wines. He was a long time member of the American Wine Association in Rochester and Golden. He and Alice took many trips to wine regions around the world expanding his knowledge and wine collection. He loved to cook, planning and cooking meals, as well as what wines would pair well with the food.

In the last years of his life he had a digital subscription to the Berlin Philharmonic. The concerts and interviews gave him great pleasure. Listening and learning about classical music was a daily joy in his life.

He was also an expert in his father’s role in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. On one trip to Belgium he traced his father’s journey during his time in the war.

He thrilled his children and grandchildren over the years by running his Lionel trains which had been collected for him by his parents since birth.

He is survived by his wife of 54 Years, Alice, a daughter, Meredith Zietz, ( Dusty Zietz) and a son, Patrick Neff ( Sakeen Sarem Aslani). He leaves behind three grandchildren, Aeralyn and Escher Neff, Roan Zietz, as well as, two bonus grandchildren, Bell and Adelaide.

He is also survived by three sisters, Candace Novack (Mike), Kathy Neff Hebert, and Susie Stipe (Howard), a nephew, Brian Feals, as well as, many other extended family members.

Jeff loved being a grandfather. He studied the grandchildren’s school calendars and knew when they had vacations, just in case they wanted to stay with the grandparents. He loved signing them up for camps at Colorado Mt. Club so they could learn about and enjoy the beautiful Colorado outdoors.

A celebration of Jeff's life was held in Denver at the home of Alice's sister, Ginny Grady and her husband Tom on January 11. Memorial contributions can be made to Colorado Mountain Club. www.cmc.org 

Jeff will be terribly missed by his family.

Please visit horancares.com to share memories and condolences with the Neff Family.