Chester Henry Neumann

Chester, “Chet” Henry Neumann was born on December 23, 1950, to Elaine B. Neumann and Dr. E.T. Neumann in Boston, MA. He was one of four children including three sisters, Lelaine (Nemser), Elise (Belanger), Leslie (Heishman) and brother Frederic Neumann.

Chet attended Boston Latin, followed by the Storm King School in New York. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston University, and an MBA from New York University. Chet worked in corporate and education finance in New York, capping his career as Assistant Superintendent of Finance at the Grandview (MO) school district. Throughout his career he was known for his expertise with bonds.

Chet’s interest in history was a central characteristic and as a born researcher, he discovered and documented his ancestors’ roles in history, including the French and Indian, Revolution and Civil wars.

In retirement Chet enjoyed traveling, his favorite being a trip with extended family to Israel. He was active in his church, St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, building its current building in Loch Lloyd, MO.

Chet’s sister Lelaine taught Chet to skate when he could walk. Chet turned this into a love for playing ice hockey. Chet and his family enjoyed spending time in Quebec, Canada, where he had many good friends. Cross country skiing and of course hockey were his favorite activities, and in the summer hiking and enjoying the lake. Chet was well known in the Kansas City area hockey community and organized traveling tournaments in Florida and Quebec, Canada. Chet played hockey until October 1, 2021, when he fell on the ice and suffered a high-level spinal cord injury, resulting in tetraplegia (quadriplegia). He fought to maximize the use of his abilities and enjoyed the support and visits of his friends, family from all over the world, and his local community at Village Shalom (KS). His spirit never wavered; he was optimistic, positive, and supportive of others to the end. He died of complications from his injury.

Chet specialized in connecting people and providing places for them to find solace and community, all in his contribution to “repair the world.”

Chet is survived by his siblings and their families, his wife of 38 years Gudrun Neumann, former wife, Mary Neumann, son James Neumann (Sarah), daughter Janice Neumann (Luke Hooton) and four grandchildren, Emma, Abby, Theo and Isla.

The family is grateful for the support of Senior Helpers of Overland Park, especially Christy, and Lina, who have helped take care of Chet since the beginning, and to the The Kansas City Hockey, Village Shalom, and St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal church communities for their support after Chet’s accident.

A celebration of Chet’s life will be held on February 22, at 2pm at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 16808 Holmes Road, Loch Lloyd, MO 64012.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Chet’s name to Village Shalom, https://www.villageshalom.org/donate/memorialsandtributes/ or St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, or Have-a-Skate-with-Bob KC, https://hasbkc.org/