Neil Koeneman

Neil Koeneman, longtime advocate for outdoor recreation, teaching, physical activity, and environmental preservation dies at 87. Throughout his nearly four decades of teaching, Neil introduced countless students and friends to the joys of outdoor activity and a lifelong appreciation for life's simple and lasting endeavors. His teachings went beyond the classroom. He introduced nearly everyone he met to the joys of cycling, kayaking, skiing, canoeing, and sailing. He was resourceful, easy-going, good-natured, and extremely generous. For all his time on the water, he earned the nickname "Nautical Neil".
Neil's partner of 21 years, Jacqelyn Mueller, also a retired public-school teacher, shared his passion for the outdoors, travel, and living a life in nature. Neil and Jaci met while paddling a canoe down the Wisconsin River. Neil had just finished teaching a cycling class at the WI Association of Environmental Education conference in the Wausau School Forest and Jaci was about to embark on a canoe class. Jaci didn't have a canoe partner and Neil happened to be "sauntering down to the river with his long-legged gait" and agreed to join Jaci in her canoe. After their shared paddle, the two reflected on what they'd seen on the river while Smetana's "Die Moldau" played at the conference gathering. One couldn't ask for a more perfect scene to begin a lifelong partnership. Neil became a part of Jaci’s family as her daughters, Rebecca Bain and Elizabeth Wartzenluft (Joe), and their children and grandchildren embraced him as their father/grandfather-figure.
Neil and Jaci loved to travel together.
Neil and Jaci went on to visit Russia, including the Far East of Siberia. They traveled to Alaska and the Arctic Circle, kayaked Mexico's Baja Peninsula, snorkeled in Galapagos Islands, trekked hut-to-hut in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. These travels enriched their commitment to environmental education and brought the two closers together. Neil's reputation for progressive ideas and common sense were widely appreciated around Oshkosh. Neil was immensely popular and enjoyed sailing regattas, cycling, officiating, and coaching athletic teams. Neil also enjoyed Friday night fish fry and friends often joked that he could be elected city mayor by the number of friends who'd stop by his table. Jaci and Neil also enjoyed taking turns reading aloud to each other works of poetry, literature, or short stories about the comedy of life. Jaci was Neil's loving and primary caregiver during his final years as he recovered from cancer, surgeries, relapses, and ultimately his death in late November of 2020.
Neil attended Oshkosh High School where he participated in track and field. He hitchhiked to LaCrosse with a wool blanket and a cardboard suitcase along with a small amount of cash and enrolled in the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse in 1952, paying his tuition with cash from his pocket. During his sophomore year at UW-LaCrosse, he was drafted to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. Also, while at LaCrosse he hurdled on the track and field team, and eventually graduated with a major in physical education. Neil went on to earn a master's degree from University of Northern Colorado in 1971. He taught physical education in Shell Lake, WI upon graduation and soon started a family. He then returned to his hometown of Oshkosh where he first served as assistant recreation director before returning to teaching physical education in the Oshkosh elementary schools.
He enjoyed spending time at a small cabin in Northern WI, which he built in 1972. He also built hand-made wooden kayaks, several adirondacks, decks, unique tables, snowshoes, as well as other creative projects, most of which he gave away to friends. His creativity and patience were unparalleled. Neil opened his home to more than a dozen tenants, some who could afford rent and some who could not. He housed lost souls, strangers in transition, hangers-on, divorcees, international students, and virtually anyone needing a place to get through hard times or life transitions.
Neil attempted to ride his bicycle across the US. He completed segments from Bar Harbor, Maine to Western, MT. But the years caught up with him and he never completed the final leg to the pacific coast.
His son, Brian, a competitive cyclist, plans to finish in his honor in 2021.
Neil taught his three children Shari Ann Rodeen, Vail, CO; Bradley Koeneman, Boyne City, MI; and Brian Koeneman, Minneapolis, MN to ski, sail, navigate, paddle, and enjoy a sustainable life. Despite modest means, his children grew up doing the things many rich kids enjoy: sailing, alpine and nordic skiing, and paddling through the wilderness. As their father, he taught his children things they could enjoy for their lifetimes. He was an advocate for silent sports, not motorized recreation. He believed in building things that last, both material and experiential. His teachings went beyond a particular activity, but involved self-reliance, sustainability, and an appreciation for the natural world.
Neil was married in 1957 to Patricia (Ganzel) Fabrello and divorced in 1980. They had 3 children and six grandchildren: Parker Rodeen, Nathan Koeneman, Peter Koeneman, Jackson Koeneman, Olivia Koeneman, Oscar Koeneman, and one great grandson, William Koeneman.
Contributions in Neil’s memory can be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at 1100 E Murdock Ave. Oshkosh, WI and the Honor Flight Network enabling Veterans of the Korean War, WWII, and the Vietnam era to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. A spring military service will be planned in Oshkosh, WI as well as a private remembrance on Lake Seventeen in Northern WI.