Donald R. Neiman

Donald R. Neiman is the consummate volunteer. His record of service is legendary in the Abington area. His accomplishments started as far back as his high school days at Abington High School where he was editor of the Abingtonian prior to his graduation in 1944. He continued his newspaper aspirations at the University of Pennsylvania where he wrote for the Daily Pennsylvanian. At the same time while in high school and college he worked for a small, neighborhood newspaper in Glenside called the Easton Road Guide whose owner sponsored him in the “second most important thing in his life,” the Kiwanis Club of Glenside.

Don branched out from Kiwanis to become an organizing founder of the Abington Alumni Association and later an original board member of the Abington Education Foundation. To this day, Don is seen in the halls of the various schools in the School District. He brings snacks, advice, and his strong, guiding presence to the Abington High School Key Club, the Abington Junior High Builders Club, and “K” Kids clubs in the McKinley, Copper Beech, and Rydal Elementary Schools. These clubs comprise nearly 600 Abington young people. Kiwanis International as well as the Pennsylvania District of Kiwanis and the High School have recognized the Key Club on a number of occasions as the outstanding Key Club. Brian Reiff, a 2004 awardee, and sponsor for many years of the Key Club, refers to Don as his inspirational mentor and role model.

For this and many other community service efforts, Don was installed in 1992 as a member of the Abington High School Hall of Fame. Ensuing bi-lateral knee replacement surgery did not slow him down. He simply does more each year with the youth clubs in the Abington School District. Don and his wife, Myrt, offer a scholarship annually to a graduating Key Clubber. His beloved Kiwanis Club of Glenside is a matching donor.

It is said to get a job done, ask a busy person. Don has had some involvement in virtually every charitable organization in Montgomery County. In his spare time he loves singing anywhere and anytime. He will play tennis at the drop of a ball, even with replaced knees. He has traveled all over the world, loves water sports, and has over 50 years of water skiing to his credit.

In addition to his wife Myrt, his family includes daughter Christine Ciccone and son Leigh. He is the proud grandfather of Craig Ciccone, Thomas Ciccone III, Christopher Ciccone, Matthew Neiman, and Lisa Neiman, and greatgrandfather of Chiara Ciccone.

In addition to his tireless participation in volunteer organizations, Don worked as Advertising Manager of the Glenside News from 1952-1981. For the next ten years he served as Advertising Manager and Officer of Montgomery Newspapers in the eastern zone featuring the Times Chronicle. Sleep is not in his vocabulary.

His vision is a township, which can be a haven for the best and brightest of aspiring families. These families will raise energetic, intelligent, and healthy youngsters to lead the community to exceptional achievements now and in the future.

[Back to the Special Events page]