Former Iowa Lt. Gov. Arthur Neu passed away Friday, Jan. 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. The Carroll Republican also served on the Iowa Board of Regents and was a member of the Board of Corrections at the time of his passing.
Arthur A. Neu, former Lt. Governor of Iowa, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 81.
Neu, a Republican, had been a state senator in a district representing Carroll, Crawford, and Monona counties since 1967 when he was elected to the state’s second-highest post in 1972. He succeeded Roger Jepsen, who had successfully defeated incumbent Democrat Richard C. Clark in the U.S. Senate race that year.
The state’s 40th Lt. Governor, who served alongside Gov. Robert D. Ray at a time when the offices were elected separately in Iowa, was re-elected in 1974 and 1976. He did not run again in 1978, and was succeeded by then-state representative, now Gov. Terry Branstad.
“Iowa lost a dedicated public servant today with the passing of Art Neu,” Branstad said. “I had the honor of succeeding Art as lieutenant governor of Iowa. Art’s passion for his home community of Carroll was always evident. I offer my deepest condolences to his family.”
Ray also issued a condolence statement:
“As Lieutenant Governor, he always gave me unvarnished advice usually with his great sense of humor. Democrats and Republicans liked and respected Art, because he was principled, fair, modest, and willing to listen to others. We need more people like Arthur Neu in public life in our communities, our state, and nation. Billie and I are sad because of Art’s loss, but we will smile whenever we think of him.”
Neu was born Feb. 9, 1933, in Carroll, the son of Arthur N. and Martha M. Neu. He attended Carroll public schools, graduating from Carroll High School in 1951, and then Wentworth Military Academy for two years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 1955.
After receiving his law degree from Georgetown Law School in 1958, he served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Corps through 1962. He received a post-graduate law degree in federal tax law in 1960 from Georgetown, as well.
He married his wife, Mary, in Falls City, Neb. They had a son, Eric, and daughter, Mary Martha. He was a partner in the Neu, Minnich, Comito & Neu law firm in Carroll, which included his son, and had continued to practice law until his passing.
After stepping down as Lt. Governor, Neu served on the Iowa Board of Regents for six years. He had been on the Board of Corrections since 1999. He also served as Mayor of Carroll from 1982 to 1985.
As of this report, funeral services were still pending with Dahn & Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll. His obituary will be available by clicking here.
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