Letter to the editor: Tribute to a beloved citizen

With a truly broken heart, I am paying tribute to one of Thompson Falls most beloved citizens, Neil Carman. Neil was so reflective of what this community has always been - caring, kind, generous, ever helpful to each other in so many ways. Many of us over many years have been recipients of Neil’s kindness and generosity, and benefited from his hard work on our behalf. Neil dedicated much of his time doing work for others, creating, always thinking of ways to be helpful or make things better. He would remind me he wasn’t college educated, and I would always think “should we all be as smart and insightful as Neil.” And caring. Neil looked for people to help, and he looked for ways to help them. He plowed snow for the city, friends, neighbors, brought in fresh produce for years from the Yakima Valley so we would have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and he grew his own garden for years, sharing what he grew with so many of us. I was very fortunate to have Neil and Dixie as my neighbors for the last several years. In spite of great pain and difficulties getting around, Neil was ever-helpful to the Pine Tree Hollow community and to me personally. I so often sought Neil’s thoughts and advice on any number of subjects. He was my “go to guy” because I knew he always knew what he was talking about. He was a man to be thankful for, to trust always. He will be so greatly missed.

Ruth Cheney,

Thompson Falls