Sodemann, Neil Eric

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Neil Eric Sodemann of Atlanta and Sea Island, Ga., formerly of Nantucket, Mass., was born Dec. 29, 1939, in Sterling, Ill., and passed away Sept. 30, 2009, in Atlanta from complications surrounding post polio syndrome. He will be interred during a graveside memorial service at Miles City Cemetery in Miles, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. A friendship luncheon will follow at the Hometown Restaurant in Preston.

Neil is survived by his wife, Dr. Margaret Baumgartner Sodemann; children, Dr. Lisa Kathryn Sodemann, Christian Michael Sodemann and Kristen Skogstad Sodemann; and three grandsons, Jack Knight, Beau Whittler and Lawton Neil Sodemann.

Neil grew up in De Witt, Iowa, graduating from De Witt High School, attended the University of Iowa, receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration, and later attained a master's degree in finance from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa, he completed U. S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas and served as a U. S. Air Force pilot for six years. He enjoyed a 30-year career with Delta Air Lines, the majority spent as instructor pilot in flight training, flying in later years as international captain. He presided over Commercial Real Estate Co. which he founded in 1970 until his death.

Mr. Sodemann was a member of numerous civic and social clubs, including the Cherokee Town and County Club, the Sea Island Club, Buckhead Rotary and the Nantucket Wharf Rat Club. He served on the board of directors and later as president of the University of Iowa Alumni Association.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mayo Clinic designated “In Memory of Neil Sodemann for the Research Department.” For further information, please contact the Mayo Clinic, 1 (800) 297-1185.