Evamaria (Evie) Neumaier

All new residents at WC bring with them fascinating life stories.  One of the newest, Evie Neumaier (nee Heller), illustrates this statement.  Born in Pirkall, Germany, Evie will readily tell you that almost since birth she has experienced a myriad of adventures and that she expects life here to be no different.   For example, following World War II, Evie, her parents, and brother resided in East Germany where she completed Gymnasium (similar to our grades 1 – 12), graduating as valedictorian of her class.  She then entered an apprenticeship program in pharmaceuticals and in 1957, with certificate in hand, went to Munich where she worked as a pharmaceutical assistant.

Several busy years followed.  In 1960, Evie married Erwin Neumaier (deceased in 2000) and enrolled in German Studies at the University of Munich.  Three years later, Erwin received a fellowship to study at the University of Notre Dame, and in 1964 Evie, and the couple’s two daughters, Andrea and Bettina, joined him in South Bend, Indiana.  Erwin, upon completion of his studies, found employment with the University of Mississippi, and the family then moved to Oxford, Mississippi.

After seven years of balancing her responsibilities at home with holding student status at the University of Mississippi, Evie received a B.A. in Botany and a masters’ degree in Pharmaceutical Science.  She then worked for eight years as a chemist at the USDA National Soil Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford.  A major family project at this time involved the restoration of an antebellum home as their residence. 

Evie’s love for the outdoors led her away from a laboratory and back to the classroom, this time at Mississippi State University, where in 1986 she received a doctoral degree in Ornamental Horticulture.  From then until retirement in 1998, when Evie and Erwin moved to Union, West Virginia, she owned and operated a landscape design business, as well as holding the positions of Assistant Professor of Biology and Research Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, both at the University of Mississippi.  

Life for Evie, however, has not been limited to work and at-home responsibilities.  She spends as much time as she can outdoors and especially likes gardening, walking, and hiking.  She belongs to the American Rhododendron Society, has a strong affinity for roses, and hopes to become a volunteer at Old City Cemetery, in order to work with its acclaimed antique rose collection.  And when Evie can’t be outside she enjoys cooking, knitting, reading, discussing politics, and listening to classical music.