Edward 'Neil' Brewster, 75

Edward “Neil” Brewster departed his time on earth on May 20, 2022.

Born on Oct. 25, 1946, in Whitefish to parents Edward “Eddie” and Dorothy Brewster, Neil spent his childhood in Glacier National Park, where his family owned and operated Eddie’s Grocery and Cafe. He attended Apgar School, West Glacier School and Columbia Falls High School before graduating from the University of Montana, Billings with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in physical education.

The Army drafted him into military service in October 1969, where he served as a personnel specialist in Germany. After the service, Neil obtained his teaching certificate, completed his student teaching in Miles City, and returned to the Flathead Valley. He was a substitute teacher at Columbia Falls High School and worked in the family business, which he later owned along with his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Jerry Larson.

Neil began his career for the National Park Service in 1978 as a procurement clerk and ultimately became the contracting officer for Glacier National Park. He retired in 2008 but continued to work for the National Park Service Regional Office for another four years.

Neil married Cheli Tesmer in 1972 (later divorced), and they had two daughters, Rachel and Jamie. The family home was located on the West Glacier Golf Course where Neil and his daughters enjoyed their summers playing golf, boating and waterskiing in Lake McDonald, and riding bikes. In the winters they loved sledding, skiing and playing board games. Neil was an active member of the Corvette Club, where the family enjoyed many outings and met wonderful friends. In 1988, the family relocated to Kalispell.

Neil later met and married Lisa Towery. He and Lisa knew one another through work in Glacier Park and began dating in 1995. They married in 2012 after ensuring they were indeed in a lasting relationship. Through this union, he gained two stepdaughters, Samantha and Morgan. Many adventures were shared, and they enjoyed landscaping projects, skiing, kayaking, running, biking and hiking. Neil and Lisa felt they could do about anything together. They were best friends and loved each other deeply.

Neil was proud of his Little Shell Native American heritage through his grandmother Clemence Brewster, as well as his cowboy grandfather Horace Brewster. Horace was one of Glacier National Park’s first rangers, and through Neil’s efforts, he was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2012.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents and twin baby brothers.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Brewster, daughters Rachel Brewster of San Francisco, Jamie Brewster McLeod (husband Glen) of Aspen, Colorado, Samantha Towery of Columbia Falls, and Morgan Bond (husband Mike and son Ellis) of Missoula, sister Donna Larson and her children and families, other relatives and many, many wonderful friends.

Neil’s passing has left a hole in our hearts, but much love and many memories remain. He is well and in the arms of God.

A celebration of life will be held at the Dew Drop Inn in Coram on Saturday, June 4, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., with military honors conducted at 1 p.m.

The family requests that any memorial donations be made to an animal shelter of the donor’s choice or Wings Regional Cancer Support.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.