Hilmer Walter Neumann was born on May 24, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the Reverend Hilmer E. J. Neumann and Marie Margereth Seybold Neumann. He attended school in the Cincinnati area, graduating from Western Hills High School. He received a degree from the College of Liberal Arts, in the University of Cincinnati. He attended graduate school at the University of Cincinnati, graduating from the Cincinnati College of Medicine, with a degree as Medical Doctor in 1948.
Doctor Neumann conducted a Family Medical Practice from 1950 until 1982. In 1982, he became the Medical Director for the Care Unit Hospital of Cincinnati and became a nationally known expert in the care of rehabilitation of chemically dependent patients. He served nine years as Assistant Deputy Coroner for Hamilton County, Ohio. Brother Neumann retired in 1995 following a series of health related calamities.
On December 17, 1948 Dr. Neumann married Shirley Ann Metz, his long time sweetheart. This union produced four children, Timothy Scott, Terry Sue, Tina Sue and Todd Sean. They have eight grandchildren.
Having volunteered for active duty in the Medical Corps of The United Stated Naval Reserve following his graduation from Medical School, Brother Neumann was called to serve during the Korean Conflict. He served from 1950 to 1953 as a member of the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force and the Sixth Marine Tank Battalion of the First Marine Division. He retired from the USNR as a Commander.
Our beloved Brother was an active layman in the Anglican Catholic Church, having served as a Vestryman of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Catholic Church for six years. He was also a licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Catholic Church. Dr. Neumann was Director of the Christ Episcopal Church Camp for underprivileged children from 1960 to 1970. He was also a member of the Education Department of that church during the same time period. Brother Neumann served as Medical Director of the Episcopal Marjorie P. Lee Home for the Aged from 1968 to 1975. He was active in Scouting for several years advancing to a leadership role in the adult Committee.
Brother Neumann was a member of the Ohio State Medical Association, the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Association of Military Surgeons, and was a. Senior Member of the Medical Staffs of St. Francis-St. George Hospital, Christ Hospital and Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati. He was a former member of the Cincinnati Club and The Miami View Golf Club and other organizations, too numerous to mention. Brother Neumann enjoyed training and showing his dogs at dog shows throughout the Midwest and enjoyed a fair amount of success.
Most Worshipful Brother Neumann’s Masonic Record is equally impressive. He was raised a Master Mason in Cheviot Lodge No. 140 on November 30, 1968, and served as that Lodge’s 100th Worshipful Master in 1976.
In the York Rite, Companion Neumann was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in McMillan Chapter No. 19 in 1970 and served as High Priest in 1977. He was received a Royal and Select Mason in Cincinnati Council No.1 in 1970 and served as Illustrious Master in 1978. He was knighted in Cincinnati Commandery in 1970 and served as Eminent Commander in 1974. Brother Neumann was Knighted a Knight York Cross of Honor in 1980. He was President of the Third Division Council for Templar Advancement in 1978.
In The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Illustrious Brother Neumann became a member of the four Coordinate Bodies of Gibulum Lodge of Perfection, Dalcho Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Cincinnati Chapter of Rose Croix and Ohio Consistory in 1969. He served Cincinnati Chapter of Rose Croix as its Most Wise Master from 1986 to 1988. He was Coroneted an Honorary Member of The Supreme Council, Thirty-Third Degree in Milwaukee on September 25, 1983.
A Senior DeMolay, Brother Neumann received the Legion of Honor in 1979. He was also honored by the Order of Rainbow for Girls as a recipient of The Grand Cross of Color. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scot- land, The Ohio Lodge of Research, The Royal Order of Jesters, Syrian Shrine Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., The Red Cross of Constantine, The Order of Eastern Star, Quatuor Coronati, and was listed in “Who’s Who in Freemasonry”.
In the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Most Worshipful Brother Neumann served as a District Deputy Grand Master in the First Masonic District in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon by Most Worshipful Brother Charles A. Brigham, Jr., in 1980. He was subsequently appointed Senior Grand Deacon, and Grand Orator. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1982, Senior Grand Warden in 1983 and Deputy Grand Master in 1984. On October 18, 1985, Brother Neumann was elected and installed as The Most Worshipful Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, the first Senior DeMolay to serve in that position in Ohio.
Dr. Neumann endured a lengthy series of health problems beginning in 1995 with open-heart surgery. Shortly thereafter, he was struck by an automobile while crossing the street in Cincinnati. The recovery was a very lengthy one and before completed, he fell and broke a hip, followed by another broken hip, followed by a broken arm. He never really recovered from these problems when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that metastasized rapidly and ultimately took his life.
Most Worshipful Brother Hilmer W. Neumann, M. D. passed away on February 16, 2000 at Christ Hospital, in Cincinnati. Masonic Services were conducted by Cheviot Lodge No. 140 on February 22, 2000. A Memorial Service was held on February 26, 2000 at the St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, in Dayton, Kentucky. Arrangements were made through the John Deitloff Funeral Center on Spring Grove Avenue, in Cincinnati. He rests from his labors.