June 12, 1938 – August 22, 2026
Pros was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on June 12, 1938, and spent his youth in Delaware and Pennsylvania. He attended Cornell University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he worked for Hercules Powder Company in Magna, Utah before moving to Mt. View, California, where he worked on the Polaris missile program at Lockheed. In 1966, Pros began his career with IBM in California, where he remained until he retired.
In 1967, Pros married Mary Lou Kessler. They shared 59 wonderful years together and raised three sons: Rob, Scott, and Erik. In 1973 they purchased a cabin at Lake Tahoe where they created countless family memories enjoying summers on the lake and winters in the mountains.
Pros had a love for travel that began during his college years, when he spent summers in Sweden and traveled throughout Europe while his parents were living there for his father’s business. After retiring from IBM, Pros and Mary Lou continued to travel extensively. Every year brought a new adventure, shared with family and friends.
One of Pros’ favorite hobbies was model trains. His passion for trains took the family to many train sites and led to memorable journeys, including trips on the Ghan in Australia and the Orient Express in England, as well as numerous excursion trains throughout the United States. He also enjoyed golf and the friendships he shared with his golf buddies.
Family was the most important thing in Pros’ life. His wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren were the light of his life. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man blessed with a sense of humor. He treasured his family deeply, and the memories they created together will be cherished forever.
Pros leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Lou Neumann; his sons, Robert Kessler Neumann (wife, Melissa Neumann), Scott Prosper Neumann (wife, Vanessa Neumann), and Erik Sherwood Neumann; and his grandchildren, Zachary, Carter, Tyler, Elsa, and Annika.
