The Neff Family

School of Pharmacy

Alumni Legacy Family Award

Known for their compassion in the Kansas City area, the Neff family maintains the trust and respect of their pharmacy customers and their colleagues, as they have for eight decades. Since 1918, when Lloyd L. Neff, Sr. finished his studies at the Kansas City College of Pharmacy (now UMKC’s School of Pharmacy) seven family members representing three generations followed in his academic and professional footsteps. All are known for dispensing friendliness and caring along with prescriptions. 

From the time 15-year-old Lloyd began clerking at a drug store in Oronogo, Missouri, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. By 16, he was enrolled at the Kansas City College of Pharmacy. Later, Lloyd convinced his brothers, James and Luke, to do likewise. 

Lloyd’s original plan for the three of them to open a chain of drug stores ended with Luke’s untimely death. However, Lloyd established three pharmacies and the Neff drug stores soon became community institutions.     

Neff family members from the School of Pharmacy:
Lloyd L. Neff, Sr. – School of Pharmacy, 1918
Brothers James (SOP 1932) and Luke (SOP 1937)
Sons Owen Neff, Sr., (SOP 1956) and Lyle F., (SOP 1958)
Grandsons Karl, (SOP 1978) and Owen, Jr., (SOP 1981)
Granddaughter-in-law – Melissa Heath Neff [m. Owen, Jr.], (SOP 1982)

Two additional Neff family members chose other UMKC programs.  Lloyd’s granddaughter, Karen Diane Neff, graduated from the School of Education in 1971; and grandson Phillip Neff is an alumnus of the College of Arts and Sciences, 1986. 

At various times, the Neffs have devoted time and talents to the Boy Scouts, the UKC Trustees and UMKC alumni groups. In everything they have done, they have reflected honor and esteem to UMKC.   

Read more about Alumni Award recipients' life lessons in Perspectives.

For more information about the April 17 awards dinner, call 816-235-1563 or register online at  http://advancing.umkc.edu/events.