The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Commission mourns the passing of Neil K. Evans, former Commissioner and Past President of the Monument Commission. Neil passed peacefully at the age of 85 on Sunday, December 26th. Neil served the Monument as a Commissioner from 1993 through 2011 and served our nation as a Navy officer aboard mine sweepers during the Korean War and at the Bay of Pigs.

Neil enjoyed a 37-year career as a colorful and artful litigator at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP beginning in 1964. Neil received his B.A. with honors in history from the University of Rochester and his J.D. and LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

During his career and following his retirement from HLP, Neil served as President of several civic non-profits including the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable, the Ohio History Connection, the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Early Settlers Association and the English Speaking Union. Neil was also an Elder in his Presbyterian Church and a member of the Rowfant Club, an esteemed bibliophilic society.

As a Commissioner of the Monument, particularly in his role as President, Neil was the guiding force in preserving and promoting the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Leading the 2009 renovation and restoration, Neil brought color and luster back to the memorial room and repaired long overdue issues with the roof structure, securing the finest Civil War Monument not located on a battlefield, for generations to come. Neil's tenacity in pursuit of the funding and completion of the project is highly regarded in Cleveland's cultural community. Ted Prasse, current Monument Commission President stated "We remember and honor Neil for his devotion. It was Neil's deep and abiding love for the history of the Civil War and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, dedicated to honoring the memory of those from our county who served, that drove his passion to carry their stories into the future."

Neil is the loving father of Elizabeth H. Evans (Joseph Love) of White Plains, NY, Henry K. Evans (Candace) of Sioux Falls, SD and Margaret C. Manning (Barton) of Arlington, TX; dear grandfather of Jeffrey, Susan, Luke, Katie, Maria, David, Audrey Anna and Trey; great-grandfather of Noah; dear brother of Beth Simmons of Lakewood, CO; uncle to Eleanor, Emily, and Stephen; long-time friend Ann Herbruck of Cleveland Heights.

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Commission, 401 Euclid Avenue, Suite 46, Cleveland, OH 44114.