Gunn, Neil Richard
Neil Richard Gunn, 77, died at home in Lake Forest, IL on September 2, 2021. He was surrounded by his wife, daughters, newest granddaughter (and namesake), and his beloved dog. Neil will be remembered by his family and friends for his unfailing kindness and gentleness; his devotion to his family; his love of sailing, travel, motorcycles, and poetry; his towering intellect; and his steadfast rejection of convention.
Neil was born on December 2, 1943 in Michigan City, Indiana. After attending Michigan City public
schools, Neil traveled extensively—he visited, worked as a freelance reporter, and attended college in a variety of locations, including Paris, Egypt, and Turkey, before returning to the US to finish school. After graduating from Indiana University in 1967, Neil enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (like his father and grandfather before him); he served from 1967-1969, most notably as the editor of the Marine Corps Gazette, and as a reservist from 1969-1971. He was the recipient of a National Defense Service Medal and a Rifle Marksman Badge. Following his service in the Marines, Neil completed his MBA at Indiana University in 1970. He subsequently joined Bankers Trust, later working at Continental Illinois Limited and Continental Bank. Over the course of his banking career, Neil traveled
widely and lived in London, Hong Kong, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and New York City before moving to Chicago in 1978.
Neil was devoted to his family. He married his wife, Margaret Broderick, in 1981 at the University of
Notre Dame. His two daughters, Dwyer and Jennifer, were born in 1984 and 1986, and Neil imparted his loves of travel and literature to them. Before they could speak, Neil read to his daughters of Xanadu, brightly burning tigers in the forests of the night, and two roads in a wood. Together, the Gunn family drove around the US and explored the streets of Italy, London, Scotland, Dublin, and Paris. For many years, the family enjoyed sunsets together on North Captiva Island in Florida and at Linger Longer Lodge, Neil’s childhood home on Lake Michigan.
Neil is survived by his wife, Margaret; his daughters, Dwyer Gunn (Dan Roller) and Jennifer Mackay Gunn (Jonathan Davidson); a half-brother, Christopher; and his granddaughters, Evah Gunn-Roller, Clare Gunn-Roller, and Nella Davidson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service with light refreshments will be held at 11:30AM on September 21, 2021 at Knollwood Country Club in Lake Forest, IL. Due to the Covid-19 resurgence and to ensure that Neil’s granddaughters can safely attend, the service will only be open to vaccinated guests and masks will be required. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Neil’s honor to Friends of Indiana Dunes or Pets for Vets. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, Lake
Forest (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com
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