Neil Richard Pope passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He lived a life defined by love, strength, and devotion to family and hard work. Neil was born on April 14, 1937 at the Pearl Nursing Home located in Cambridge, England to Frederick John Pope and his wife, Esther Paula Pope (née Gunby). His earliest memories revolve around World War II. Neil, his mother, and his brother Rod slept underneath the dining room table (Morrison Shelter) which was made of iron and steel, while his father was on night duty as an air raid warden. He remembered big events from the war, such as the night that Coventry got bombed and smaller things that his family did such as turning all of their grass into a victory garden to grow potatoes and other vegetables. He liked to remind people that England did not come off rationing until 1952 and things like eggs and candy were a treat. Being a child during World War II was something that would have an impact on Neil's entire life.

Neil attended the Shirley Infant School from ages 5-7 and the Brunswick Middle School until he was 11. Also at 11, Neil joined Jesus College Cambridge Choir until he was 14 1/2 and his voice broke. Next, Neil went to the Central Grammar School for Boys where he played soccer for five years. Then he left the Central School at 17 1/2 and took a mechanical engineering course. After four years, he was drafted into the service where he served in the Mediterranean, mainly stationed in Malta and serving time on the HMS Hermes, an aircraft carrier. Neil thoroughly enjoyed his time in the service. After leaving the service, Neil first took a job with an engineering firm, then worked for the Cambridge University mechanical department, and finally took a job as a design engineer with Techne. During this time, Neil continued his education, going to school three nights a week and Saturdays.

In 1969, Neil was asked by Techne to go to America for three months to see what he could do with their sales. He found many new customers who were still customers when he retired many years later. Neil returned to England and in March 1970, Neil's daughter Rachel was born. Six months later, in September, Neil and family returned to America for two years, where he was tasked with opening the North American market for Techne, with both direct sales and appointing and training manufacturer's representatives. Neil's son Jonathan was born in England in 1973. His family would live in England for two more years and then permanently moved to America on June 2, 1975, where they settled in Princeton Junction, New Jersey.

Neil lived in Princeton Junction, from 1975 to 1992. During that time, his family often traveled to England for vacation and also all over America. Neil was instrumental in setting up the West Windsor recreational soccer association, something that he was proud of the rest of his life. He often spoke about how many children were enrolled during the first season compared to later years. Neil also greatly enjoyed coaching travel soccer teams too. He could often be seen walking on the soccer fields with his beloved golden retriever, Major. Neil served as a deacon at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church and on other community boards. His philosophy during this time was to work hard to climb the corporate ladder and keep his family happy. Neil's life was profoundly changed when his beloved son Jonathan passed away on June 2, 1991. The loss of his son had a lasting impact on his life. Neil carried that loss with him always, and though the pain never fully disappeared, neither did the deep love he held for him.

In 1992 Neil, who had become the president at Techne by this time and moved into Princeton Walk after his divorce. This was where he would meet his current wife and soulmate, Mary in 1995. Neil and Mary married November 11, 1999. They shared a loving life together, traveling the world, entertaining and enjoying good friends in England, New Jersey and ultimately in Sedona, Arizona. New experiences such as horseback riding in Wyoming and hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon were highlights of a joyous and fully lived life together. Neil also enjoyed fishing and golf, landing a delicious kingfish in Barbados.

In 2002, Neil's daughter presented him with a grandson, Owen Jonathan, who became the light of his life. Over the years, they spent many hours together at the beach, took trips to England and a trip to Alaska, and played numerous games of dominoes where they always competed to get the double six to start. Neil and Owen loved playing pool together in Arizona and Owen enjoyed when his grandfather would teach him things like how to change a toilet handle flush and how to polish shoes until they shine. Proper manners were very important to Neil, and he instilled these into Owen. He taught Owen to make his index fingers and thumbs into a "b" and "d" to know which was his bread plate and drink (water glass) at the table. As Owen got older, they loved eating good bread and butter together, as well as enjoying a decent steak, a cold beer, and good wine. Recently Neil wrote that he had given Owen his "thoughts on life and how to behave" and is proud that he helped raise Owen to be "balanced, well mannered, and honest."

Also in 2002, Neil and Mary purchased a townhouse and some land in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona. For a while, they spent time in both Arizona and Princeton, New Jersey while building their dream house which they moved into just before Christmas, 2006 with their cat Midnight and later with their current cat Honeybear. Neil became involved in Community activities and volunteering, serving on the Big Park Council, local La Barranca II Homeowners' Association, and Sedona Arts Center to name a few. He also enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of the Sedona Bridge Club.

Neil is predeceased by his father Frederick John Pope, his mother Esther Gunby Pope, his elder brother Roderick John Pope, his younger sister Brigid Anne Pope, and his dearly loved son Jonathan Howard Pope. He is survived by his wife Mary Iorizzo Vere Pope, his daughter Rachel Elizabeth Pope Tucker of Freehold, New Jersey, her husband Edmund Joseph Tucker, and their son Owen Jonathan Pope Tucker. Neil will be cremated in Arizona, and then a funeral and burial will be held in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, and a celebration of life will be held in Sedona, Arizona at later dates.