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Jack and his grand-niece at family show in October 2009

I was sad to return home this Sunday to find that my friend Jack Neal had passed away. What I will miss most from Jack was his witchy wit. He loved gossip – the snarkier, the better. His mantra could be, “if you can’t say anything nice, come sit by me.” Sometimes he was completely off in his information and I had to set him straight, or I would sit amazed that he knew insider info about the Phil before me. He knew about Laura Jackson before some of the musicians or staff. A few weeks ago, I subbed for his humanities class, and he insisted on being there. In the face of his treatment-induced muteness, he worked the classroom conversation with me and the students about the Reno Phil and classical music, engaging them with thoughts and questions. We had a great time with these students he loved and admired. He was in such good spirits and despite a little weight loss, appeared to be on the mend. I promised him a margarita when he was ready. I wish I still had the time for that drink.

Information from his obits:
Jack Neal, a longtime Reno arts critic and a respected high school government teacher, died Friday, February 26th, while recovering from an illness. He was 77.

Jack was a government teacher and debate coach at Reno High School for decades, and he also taught at Bishop Manogue High School. Most recently, he had been a political science and humanities instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College. He studied symphony and opera conducting with Stanley Chapple and baton technique with Walter Welke at the University of Washington in Seattle. A music, dance and theater critic for more than 30 years, Jack also had conducted musicals, operas and symphonies. For many years, he was the art critic for the Reno Gazette-Journal and his reviews also appeared in Opera News, the official publication of New York’s Metropolitan Opera, as well as the current art critic for KUNR-FM. Listeners to his evening review of local arts and entertainment events were likely aware the treatment had caused Jack to lose his voice. Jack continued to write his reviews up until his last week, which were voiced for broadcast by colleague Hardy McNew. Despite his recent health challenge, Jack retained his sense of humor, joking that “a critic who can’t speak is indeed a valuable public resource.” We are all saddened by the loss of our friend and longtime supporter of the Reno Phil, as well as all the arts organizations and the community.