MICHAEL P
NEUFELD
Editor-Publisher of ROTW NEWS, passed away Monday
January 30, 2017.
As a pioneer in online
news reporting, Michael Neufeld blazed the trail in the San Bernardino Mountain
communities. He and Dave Henderson teamed-up and established Rim of the World (Rimoftheworld.net)
a new techy-way to deliver the news
that encouraged computer owners to refer to the computers for the most current
news of the day. Hard work, long hours, venturing into strange or unfamiliar
territories, risking possible danger were only pieces of the job for a
middle-aged man. And, not to mention getting comfortable with the new
technology matched with Neufeld’s professional history, he conquered the
challenge.
(This is written with heavy-heart, about my dear
friend. I’m sharing a few moments of an
incredible life that influenced my life and many others. I looked to Michael as
a master, a teacher, a guru. I looked up to him as the elder of journalism.
Much to my surprise, I am the older by 13 months and I’ve been in journalism
the longest …. 50+ years! E T Russell)
Fortunately, for you,
readers and for me we’ve found a common bond in our friend, Michael Neufeld. He
truly was a most unique person that everyone related with, no matter the
pathway we walked. Many refer to their
friend as Mike, but sense I was first
introduced to him as Michael; in 2007 he has remained Michael to me. Ironically, Occasionally, Michael noted to me that
he was Michael Perry and found it
interesting that he’d become acquainted with Michael Perry of Big Bear Lake.
Born July 23, 1942 in
Lindsay, California, young Michael’s
parents relocated the family in Porterville.
There the teenager heeded to the calling as a
journalist, especially the news business and during his high school years, became
an on-air personality for the local radio station, KTIP.
As a graduate of the
prestigious Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University,
Neufeld earned a double-major, received Speech & Drama, as well as Radio
& Television Degrees. (Another
connection: Michael’s professor Dr. Jack Holland at San Jose State, later was
my teacher years later.)
Married fifty years,
wife Susan and Michael’s family includes, son Ed Neufeld, daughter Michelle and son-in-law Brandon Knapp, and four
granddaughters. Living in the mountain community of Crestline, the Neufeld’s
are members of an extended family.
Neufeld possessed a
foresight into others and saw the potential of like-minded businesses, organizations,
and individuals that come together to share business, community, and nonprofit
goals and issues, can turn dreams into reality. With those thoughts in mind
Neufeld with Penny Shubnell, co-founded Crestline Connect. The networking group
of businesses and organizations meets weekly has more than thirty members. I’ve visited the group a few times; once I accompanied
Assemblyman Jay Obernolte, when he was the guest speaker. What a great idea for all our mountain
communities!
Previous to Neufeld’s
venturing into the new online media, ROTW NEWS (Rim of the World) I was an
associate with Rimoftheworld.net. Editor Neufeld divided up his time and
efforts covering the Big Bear Valley, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline areas, as well
as San Bernardino County and City incidents and events. I recall assisting with
assignments such as: the collapse of the SR-330 culvert, the construction of
the new Big Bear Lake Bridge, the adventure of Jordan Romero’s conquering the
climb to Mount Everest, the Dorner trail of crime, our Sheriff’s recovery,
several Big Bear Airport Air Shows, Old Miners Parades, Special Olympics, Bear
Valley Hospital, the construction and dedication of the Brenda Boss Facility,
and many other events.
As with other press
agencies, we rely on Public Information Officers (PIO) to submit press releases
to keep us informed of incidents, press conferences, etc but together we
develop close working relationships and dependency on each other. Editor-Publisher
Michael Neufeld had great respect for all agencies: San Bernardino County Supervisors, San
Bernardino County Fire Departments, CAL Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff, Twin Peaks Sheriff Station, Big
Bear Sheriff Station, CERT, ECS, COAD, California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS),
California Highway Patrol (CHP), State Assembly, State Senate and U.S. Congress, as well as posting Public Service Announcements (PSA) and supporting many
non-profit organizations.
Neufeld’s mission was
to bring closer communications together with all San Bernardino Mountain communities
and the unique survival lifestyle we ‘mountain-folk’ share. He saw the
importance that we not be isolated when critical events occurred as with the mountain
fires of 2003, 2007 and more recently with Lake Fire and Summit Fire. Dave
Stuart with Hearts and Lives coined
the words ‘We have many post offices on the mountain, but we are all one
community’.
Michael was a unique
individual, a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a friend, a Californian, a
true American.
In honor of Michael
Perry Neufeld, a Celebration of His Life will be February 12th Sunday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. in Crestline,
California at the San Moritz Lodge located at 24640 San Moritz Drive.
Thank You, for letting me share my Friend with You! E T Russell