President and CEO of Neuhoff communications, Geoff Neuhoff, passed away suddenly yesterday at the age of 59.

Geoff spent more than thirty of his 59-years building a family owned and operated company.

He built the business on the belief that Neuhoff stations would only be successful if they took care of the communities they served.

In 2010 Neuhoff was named, "Illinois Broadcaster of the Year" by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.

In the spring of 2012, Neuhoff owned WSOY-AM, Decatur Illinois, was honored as a NAB Crystal Award winner.

In his acceptance speech at the radio lunch in Las Vegas, Geoff dedicated the award to his father and honored the team of radio professionals who raised enough food in one day to fill two Decatur Food Banks for a year.

We are reminded by Geoff's mission to give back every day in our company's motto, 'Media Made Locally.'

Geoff Neuhoff believed that local was always the most effective approach and that the listeners, advertisers and community leaders benefited from his company's commitment.

He will be missed by the Neuhoff Communications teams here and in Illinois, but his legacy will last for years to come.

Neuhoff leaves behind a wife, a son and two daughters.

Geoffrey Houghton Neuhoff, 59, a true leader in the broadcast industry and a second-generation broadcaster, spent the last thirty-plus years dedicated to an industry and the communities it served. The company’s motto, “Media Made Locally”, was a testament to his belief in the strength of focusing on what mattered to local businesses and audiences.

In 2010, Geoff was recognized for his talents by the Illinois Broadcasters as the Illinois Broadcaster of the Year and in March of this year, a Neuhoff station won the prestigious national Crystal Award for Community Service at the NAB in Las Vegas. In both reception speeches, Mr. Neuhoff dedicated the awards to his father, Roger, his mentor and predecessor in business.

Born in Guam, Geoffrey’s early years were spent as his parents’ traveling companion throughout the Far East before they left the foreign service and settled to raise their family in Washington, D.C. Geoff attended St. Alban’s School and was a free-spirited young man who laid claim to a few boarding schools before graduating from the University of Denver.

Geoff went to work for his father at Eastern Broadcasting after graduating and worked his way up from entry-level positions in very small markets. When Eastern was sold and the opportunity to buy Springfield, Illinois presented itself, Geoff began his own career in ownership and his legacy was created. He had many friends and happy memories in Springfield. His three children were born there of a prior marriage and it was a very special part of his life

Geoff and his wife of ten years, Beth, were residents of Jupiter, Florida. They resided at the Loxahatchee Club amongst many dear friends. Geoff loved the game of golf despite its many challenges and played often. Geoff was an active member of the Jupiter and greater Palm Beach County Community where he served on the Boards of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach. In addition, he was an avid supporter of Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, the Palm Beach Infectious Disease Institute and many animal charities.

Geoff’s heart, however, was truly most at home in Edgartown, Massachusetts, his summer home of over fifty years and where he and Beth were married. A lover of sailing, boating and the magical sand and salt air, it was fitting that his final days were spent where he was happiest – amongst family and lifelong friends from the Chappaquiddick Beach Club, the Edgartown Yacht Club and the Boathouse Club.

His greatest loves were his three children, Jameson, 26, Alexandra, 25 and Alice 23, his wife Beth, and his dear parents Roger and Louise who survive him. Also surviving are his sister Marion and husband Simon of West Tisbury, Massachusetts, brother Eric of Vero Beach, Florida, and brother Alex of Maui, Hawaii as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Finally, a great lover of his animals, Geoff leaves behind his most beloved dogs, Stella and Stanley and his two cats Scooby and Shaggy.