Ridott – Harold F. Neuberger, 100 of Ridott passed away peacefully in his home, built by his grandfather, Henry Neuberger before 1900, on February 22, 2024.  He was born January 28, 1924 to George and Flora (Lamb) Neuberger. He was the grandson of Henry Neuberger and W.T. Lamb who were Ridott Township pioneers.  He attended Ridott elementary school, Leaf River High School and graduated Freeport High School in 1942. He then went on to graduate from Bradley University where he received his engineering degree graduating in 1950.

He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bennington CV-20 fifth fleet in the South Pacific an aircraft carrier during WWII where he was a part of the gunnery department. He was onboard for the commissioning of the ship in New York Navy yard. While on board they went through a typhoon and they lost a large section of the flight deck. He participated in the Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Japan campaigns.  He was awarded 3 bronze stars during his time in the Navy.  He was a charter member of the WWII museum in New Orleans.

Harold was employed by Woodmanse Manufacturing and Micro Switch Division of Honeywell as a quality control supervisor for 21 years. While at Micro Switch he was a Division member of the Interdivisional Standards Committee.  Harold was a Past President of the Chicago Chapter of the Standards Engineers's Society. He was a member of the Rockford Chapter of the Navy Club, a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and past member of the Society for Quality Control.

Harold was a Micro Switch Credit Union board member and past president. He was a member of the Chicago chapter of Standards Precident and president of the board of Standards Engineering society Chicago chapter.  He was a previous co-owner of North Towne Hardware in Rockford for 20 years (1971-1991). Harold was also a past member of the Freeport Industrial Management Club serving as secretary and a member of the American Society for metals.

While living in Ridott Harold served his community in the capacity of the village clerk, village president and the Ridott Cemetery manager.  He was also a member of the Ridott Community Church.

Harold was a former member of the Freeport Moose Lodge, a past commander of the VFW 998 in Freeport, past president of the American Legion Post 197 in Pecatonica and also a member of the Freeport chapter of the AMVETS.  During his retirement he traveled throughout the United State on ship reunion tours.

He is survived by several nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, Loyall Neuberger, Lowell Neuberger, Donald Neuberger, Raymond Neuberger and his 2 sisters, Nadine Neuberger and Mary Pickering.

Cremation rites have been accorded there will be no services as per Harold's wishes.