Neil LaMonte Astle, age 66, passed away March 13, 2000, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was born on June 14, 1933 to Ann Stam and Lehi Sam Astle.
In 1951, Neil graduated from Granite High School where he was an all-state athlete in both basketball and baseball, he was also senior class president and seminary president. He married Claudia Pomeroy in 1954; later divorced in 1978. He is a member of the LDS Church. Neil earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955 and a Bachelors of Architecture in 1958 at the University of Utah, where he lettered in both basketball and baseball. In 1959 he earned a Masters of Architecture Degree at MIT. The Utah Society of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) presented to Neil Astle the 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award, "the highest award given to a retired architect, who during his years of practice and service to the community has contributed a body of high quality work that has left a lasting legacy and a positive impact upon those who use it." He is the first Utah recipient of this award. Some of his award winning work included: the Student Services Building (U of U); Student Services and Allied Health Sciences Buildings (WSU); College Center Expansion, Markosian Library, and Lifetime Activities Center (SLCC); Student Service Center (Snow College); Benedictine Monastery and Guest and Retreat House, (Nebr.); DeSoto Visitors Center(Iowa); Danish Immigrant Museum (Iowa), Mormon Trail Center (Nebr.); Wheeler Farm Activity Barn (Salt Lake City). He was Professor of Architecture at Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Nebraska. He was the founding principal of Astle/Ericson & Associates, and with his partner, Ronald G. Ericson and others, produced 30 years of quality architecture, with offices in Omaha, Nebr. and Salt Lake City, Ut. In 1983 the AIA advanced Neil to its highest rank, Fellow (FAIA).Survivors include his loving companion, Dr. Gay Lloyd Drecksel; his mother of Salt Lake City; four children including Kari, Rex (Kris) of Salt Lake City, Cal (Pam), and Robert of Mesa, Arizona; brothers including Dr. Ronald (Ann) of Sandy; Dr. Lynn (Marian) of Provo,
and sister-in-law, Shelley of Salt Lake City; ten grandchildren Kira, Kirstin, Kiley, Ashley, Logan, Talya, Erik, Chanara, Carissa and Cameron; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and colleagues.
Preceded in death by his father and a brother, Dennis.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated caregivers at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center for their excellent and compassionate care.
Services to celebrate Neil Astle's remarkable life will be held on Friday, March 17, 2000, 12 noon, at the Wheeler Farm Activity Barn Building, one of Neil's designs, 6351 South 900 East. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the Wheeler Farm Activity Barn Building on Friday from 11 am to 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the Neil Astle Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o The Graduate School of Architecture, University of Utah, 375 So. 1530 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112.
Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens. Funeral directors: The Holbrook Mortuary.