Dr. Stephen Howland Neff

Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Howland Neff, US Army, Retired, will be celebrated on Friday, February 28 at 11:00 am at the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) 1512 Blanding Street, Columbia. The family will receive friends in the parish hall following the Mass.

Stephen was born on October 30, 1948 in Springfield, Massachusetts and was predeceased by his parents, Peter C. Neff and Audrey Howland Neff. He died after a valiant battle against the effects of Parkinson's Disease and Aspiration Pneumonia.

His surviving family are his wife Sandra Chase; stepson, Harold Chase; brother, Rodrick C. Neff; sister, Sara Smith and nephew, Nathan Paul Wuertenberg.

Stephen was a 1968 graduate of Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut. He received his medical training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977. Stephen also held a Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina.

His religious life was important to him and as long as his health permitted he regularly attended Mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd, where he was a member for over 30 years. During his illness he was thankful for the visits from those who faithfully brought him the Blessed Sacrament from Sunday Mass.

Stephen loved to listen to two songs his beloved Sandra wrote for him entitled The Soldier of My Heart and When You Talk About God. Her music was a blessing to him and he was grateful that she shared her gift with him.

Stephen often talked about and remembered in prayer his loved ones who were on longer in this life, especially grandmother, Muriel L. Hoag (Nana); grandfather, Louis B. Howland; brother, Peter C. Neff; and Paul Jay Smith, Sr.

His medical career was extensive, with service in the United States Army Medical Corps in Kuwait during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) and the Blue Team Medical Unit at Moncrief Army Hospital. He also provided health care to communities in need at Singleton Health Clinic in Orangeburg, SC and Miles Mason Clinic in Laurenceville, GA. He loved his service to those in need and was known for his remarkable kindness to all people.

Stephen will be remembered as an honorable and patriotic physician, soldier and friend. To hear the songs he loved, please go to Sandra's website at shandrachaselyricsandmusic.com/home.

His family asks that memorial donations in Stephen's memory go to the charity of one's choice.