November 2007
Dear Friends,
2007 has been a year full of activities and changes. So much has happened this year that I thought the
best way to communicate with you was to put together a briefing paper.
Let me start by paraphrasing Samuel Clemmens:
“The news of my demise has been greatly exaggerated.”
I know that many of you thought that I would never leave San Diego, so for those who don’t already know,
and it may come as a great surprise, I am currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Life is strange…and it is
indeed strange that I have really come full circle to be in Cincinnati…OHIO. Although I grew up in St. Louis, I
used to visit my grandmother Charlotte (Noonie) in the 1930’s in Cincinnati, and my grandfather, John Neeb,
owned a restaurant in Cincinnati which was once known as “John Neeb's Mount Auburn Garden Restaurant
and Billiard Saloon,” and is still in business today after nearly 150 years as Cincinnati’s oldest restaurant
“Mecklenburg Gardens.” http://www.mecklenburgs.net/history.htm
Dear Friends,
2007 has been a year full of activities and changes. So much has happened this year that I thought the
best way to communicate with you was to put together a briefing paper.
Let me start by paraphrasing Samuel Clemmens:
“The news of my demise has been greatly exaggerated.”
I know that many of you thought that I would never leave San Diego, so for those who don’t already know,
and it may come as a great surprise, I am currently living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Life is strange…and it is
indeed strange that I have really come full circle to be in Cincinnati…OHIO. Although I grew up in St. Louis, I
used to visit my grandmother Charlotte (Noonie) in the 1930’s in Cincinnati, and my grandfather, John Neeb,
owned a restaurant in Cincinnati which was once known as “John Neeb's Mount Auburn Garden Restaurant
and Billiard Saloon,” and is still in business today after nearly 150 years as Cincinnati’s oldest restaurant
“Mecklenburg Gardens.” http://www.mecklenburgs.net/history.htm
| John Sr, Me, Lew Jr, and grandson John Jr. in Cincinnati at my grandfather’s restaurant, Mecklenberg Gardens for John & Lew Jr’s Birthday, Nov 2007 |
In 2006, my son, John and his wife Catherine, moved from San Diego to Cincinnati Ohio to
be nearer my grandson John, Jr., his lovely wife Amy, and my three great-granddaughters.
be nearer my grandson John, Jr., his lovely wife Amy, and my three great-granddaughters.
Although John Sr. continues to
manage the family properties, he is
able to do much of this from his
home with travel as needed. Last
December, I visited John in
Cincinnati and had a wonderful
time getting to know the youngsters
and being surrounded by family.
manage the family properties, he is
able to do much of this from his
home with travel as needed. Last
December, I visited John in
Cincinnati and had a wonderful
time getting to know the youngsters
and being surrounded by family.
In May, I attended the Sea Fox reunion in Texas. It was a wonderful time. I shared my sea stories and
memories of my time with the USS Sea Fox and I enjoyed seeing many of you there.
In June, I visited John in Cincinnati for Father’s Day. I had a lovely time. His home is beautiful and it
was wonderful to be surrounded by the family, especially my great granddaughters, Lizzie, Katie, and
Sammie.
memories of my time with the USS Sea Fox and I enjoyed seeing many of you there.
In June, I visited John in Cincinnati for Father’s Day. I had a lovely time. His home is beautiful and it
was wonderful to be surrounded by the family, especially my great granddaughters, Lizzie, Katie, and
Sammie.
Samantha Neeb 3 Years, Lizzie Neeb 6 Years, Katie Neeb 4 Years
John reminded me that after a lifetime of his supporting me and my career, it might now be my duty to
follow him by moving near the family in Cincinnati. Although I love my beautiful Condo, the view, the
yacht club, my boat and my friends and family in San Diego, I reluctantly agreed there were also
some pretty spectacular attractions in Cincinnati, not the least of which was the youngsters, my great-
granddaughters:
John took me to tour some beautiful communities in Cincinnati. I found a community that was very
attractive and surprised John by saying I was willing to relocate, immediately. It will be no surprise
that once I make a decision, things move quickly. I put the SUBRON III on the market and made
arrangements to pack up and move to Cincinnati so I would be in place by September. John came
out to help me pack up. While I was packing, I slipped in the condo, hit my head and suffered a
stroke. Fortunately, John was with me and called 911 immediately. John stayed with me throughout
my hospital stay until I was able to travel and off the two of us went….First Class on Delta non-stop to
Cincinnati.
I live in a very nice residence less than 5 miles from the family. The population statistics are really in
my favor (there are usually no more than 2 men at our 8 person dinner table) and I have a very nice
small suite that is “ship-shape.” Of course, I have a few improvements I would make to the
place…like adding a swimming pool and a walking course, but I am working on those challenges. All
in all, it is first class, the staff is wonderful and they treat me like a king….or a Captain.
follow him by moving near the family in Cincinnati. Although I love my beautiful Condo, the view, the
yacht club, my boat and my friends and family in San Diego, I reluctantly agreed there were also
some pretty spectacular attractions in Cincinnati, not the least of which was the youngsters, my great-
granddaughters:
John took me to tour some beautiful communities in Cincinnati. I found a community that was very
attractive and surprised John by saying I was willing to relocate, immediately. It will be no surprise
that once I make a decision, things move quickly. I put the SUBRON III on the market and made
arrangements to pack up and move to Cincinnati so I would be in place by September. John came
out to help me pack up. While I was packing, I slipped in the condo, hit my head and suffered a
stroke. Fortunately, John was with me and called 911 immediately. John stayed with me throughout
my hospital stay until I was able to travel and off the two of us went….First Class on Delta non-stop to
Cincinnati.
I live in a very nice residence less than 5 miles from the family. The population statistics are really in
my favor (there are usually no more than 2 men at our 8 person dinner table) and I have a very nice
small suite that is “ship-shape.” Of course, I have a few improvements I would make to the
place…like adding a swimming pool and a walking course, but I am working on those challenges. All
in all, it is first class, the staff is wonderful and they treat me like a king….or a Captain.
I celebrated my 86th birthday this
September and appreciated all the
cards, notes and calls I received. Here I
am at the left sharing a beer on my 86th
birthday with my daughter-in-law
Catherine at my grandfather's former
restaurant
September and appreciated all the
cards, notes and calls I received. Here I
am at the left sharing a beer on my 86th
birthday with my daughter-in-law
Catherine at my grandfather's former
restaurant
Let me end this by saying I think of my old friends frequently. I have my pictures up and tell my sea stories
to a whole new set of people that have never heard them before. All of my stories and all of my friends are
being relived almost daily. My earlier memories and relationships sometimes survive stronger in my memory
than my new memories, so you all mean so very much to me. I thank you all for your good wishes and
communications and I wish the best for each of you.
to a whole new set of people that have never heard them before. All of my stories and all of my friends are
being relived almost daily. My earlier memories and relationships sometimes survive stronger in my memory
than my new memories, so you all mean so very much to me. I thank you all for your good wishes and
communications and I wish the best for each of you.
| Me with my great granddaughter, Katie the cheetah at our Halloween party |
...and with her little sister,
Samantha, AKA Snow White
Samantha, AKA Snow White