Former Iowa Lt. Governor Arthur Neu of Carroll, a Republican who remained deeply involved in Iowa government for decades after he left the statehouse, died Friday, January 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 81.
Neu was a lawyer who served as lieutenant governor of Iowa under Gov. Robert Ray from 1973-1979. He also served in the Iowa Senate from 1967-72 and on the Iowa Board of Regents from 1979-85. In addition, he was mayor of Carroll from 1982-85.
Neu continued to serve in a number of other key policy roles for many years, including service on the Iowa Board of Corrections, on the Iowa Public Radio Board, and on the board of St. Anthony Regional Hospital. He was a graduate of Northwestern University Law School who still maintained a law practice in Carroll at the time of his death, and he regularly offered his views on public policy issues.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad issued a statement Friday after learning that Neu had died.
“Iowa lost a dedicated public servant today with the passing of Art Neu,” Branstad said. “I had the honor of succeeding Art as lieutenant governor of Iowa. Art’s passion for his home community of Carroll was always evident. I offer my deepest condolences to his family.”
Former Governor Ray said Neu will be missed and remembered by many Iowans, not just for the offices he held, but for how long and well he served Iowans.
“As Lieutenant Governor, he always gave me unvarnished advice usually with his great sense of humor,” Ray said. “Democrats and Republicans liked and respected Art, because he was principled, fair, modest, and willing to listen to others. We need more people like Arthur Neu in public life in our communities, our state, and nation. Billie and I are sad because of Art’s loss, but we will smile whenever we think of him.”
Neu was known as a moderate Republican in a party that tilted much further to the right after he left elected office. He endorsed Mitt Romney for president prior to the January 2012 Iowa Republican Party caucuses, but later endorsed President Barack Obama, a Democrat, for re-election in November 2012. He cited Obama’s leadership in bringing the nation back from the brink of economic collapse, ending the war in Iraq, his plan to end the war in Afghanistan, and his record of fighting terrorism.
Neu also endorsed Democratic candidate Christie Vilsack in her unsuccessful 2012 race for Iowa’s 4th District seat in Congress against U.S. Representative Steve King, a Republican.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Friday he considered Neu to be a dedicated public servant and leader for Iowa. “As a fellow legislator, I knew him as a tough competitor who always put first the interests of Iowa and his community. Barbara and I send our thoughts and prayers to his family,” Grassley said.
Jean Basinger of Des Moines, an advocate for reform of Iowa’s prison system, praised Neu. “He was a noble man. Always committed to justice,” she said.
The Ned connection
Art loved Nederland. He and his wife, Naomi, owned a cabin in Eldora that they visited at least twice a year—two weeks in the summer and another week in the fall. They were part of the Eldora summer people who come from all over the country to stay in the cabins that many of them have owned for generations.
The Neus have followed this routine since the 60s, when they acquired the cabin that has been in Art's wife's family since her childhood.
Their two sons also use the cabin regularly in the summer. The vacation home became the site of numerous family and friend visits for most of the summer months.
While in Eldora, Art enjoyed bike riding the Fourth of July road, hiking Spencer mountain and reading in the mountain air. He loved the town of Nederland and visited daily for meals and for the various festivals.
Being from Carroll, Iowa, he regularly visited other former residents of Nederland who originated from Carroll: Margaret Pitman, a former Nederland teacher; and his cousin, Jeff Kudsk, who lived on W. First St.
