Henry Whitehead Neale of Montreat, NC died peacefully in his home the morning of Saturday, February 14th, 2026. He was born on July 18th, 1940, in Richmond, VA. He was the son of the late Dr. Richard C. Neale, Sr. and Eva Whitehead Neale.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his late wife, Margaret C. Neale; his brothers, Spotswood Neale, John Neale, and James Neale; his sister, Diane Savig; his sisters-in-law, Yvonne, wife of Richard Neale, Jr. and Emma, wife of John Neale.
He is survived by his children, Leigh Neale, Jennifer Neale, Henry Neale, Jr. and wife Melia, and William Neale and wife Alaina; siblings, Richard Neale, Jr., Wirt Neale and wife Ginger, and Beverly Johnson and husband Merwyn, Donna Kelly, and Vickie Peters and husband Zayne; grandchildren, Jordan, William and Logan Kuhn, Elena and Kezha Neale-Sacks, Makena and Maggie Neale, and Maximus and Madeline Neale.
Like so many of their closest friends in Montreat, Henry and Margaret first met 65 years ago when they were camp counselors. Margaret could not resist Henry on his surfboard protecting swimmers in Lake Susan, and Henry knew he’d found his perfect match in Margaret. They were married just a few years later and began attempting to raise their four children. Dr. Neale was a devoted husband, loving father, and a dear friend to so many, especially in Montreat where caring for his many ‘patients’ over the last twenty years added tremendous purpose to his life after retirement. Professionally, Dr. Neale was determined, resourceful, and incredibly hardworking. Founding the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Cincinnati was his greatest professional achievement, and he has watched the program grow with immense pride.
Dr. Neale graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga and attended Davidson College before completing medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Neale completed his general surgery residency at the University of Cincinnati, after which he pursued subspecialty training in plastic surgery at Duke University. He was encouraged by Dr. William Altemeier, the Department Chair in Cincinnati at the time, to return to Cincinnati, where he founded the Division of Plastic Surgery in 1974. He served as Chief and plastic surgery residency Program Director until his retirement in 2003. Dr. Neale trained 36 residents who have practiced in all corners of the United States. He was considered an authority on burn reconstruction of the head, neck and breast. Some highlights of his professional career include serving as Chairman of the American Board Plastic Surgery, Director of the American Board of Surgery, Editor of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, President of the Association of Chairman in Plastic Surgery, and President of the Mont Reid Surgical Society. Dr. Neale was an outstanding teacher and mentor for medical students, residents, and faculty in the Department of Surgery. He personally set and lived by the highest standards for clinical excellence and integrity. In true Neale fashion of giving back to the community and honoring education, Henry and his loving wife Margaret provided crucial funding for the establishment of the Henry W. and Margaret C. Neale Endowed Chair in Plastic Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine at the time of his retirement.
The Memorial Service for Dr. Neale will be held in Anderson Auditorium, in Montreat, NC, on Saturday, March 28th at 1:00PM. Charitable contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Montreat Presbyterian Heritage Center and Montreat Presbyterian Church, USA.
Harwood Home for Funerals and Cremation Services is honored to be serving the Neale family. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com
