Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Tod Owen Neuenschwander

Tod Neuenschwander, the loving husband of Silvana Recine, passed away on January 19, 2019, at the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Harwood, Maryland.  He was 71.  

Tod was a husband. A son. A brother. A friend. An incredible human being with quite a sense of humor that would either make you laugh or want to eagerly engage in an intense political discussion. He was also an avid latte drinker. No matter where he went, even if it were to walk the dogs, Tod needed (and required) to have a cup of Starbucks glued to his hand. If he didn’t have his latte, the world would stop. 

Tod, a fourth-generation Californian, was born in Livermore, California, in 1947. He developed a passion for traveling and exploring the world at an early age since his father’s job required the family to move all around the Western Hemisphere. His early adventures gave him the opportunity to live in California, Washington and Puerto Rico, where he would eventually become a DJ for a local radio station and develop a passion for communications. 

His career in communications – on both radio and TV – seemed so fitting for Tod. He could talk to you nearly about anything and everything. He had a curious mind and a unique intellect. He was a hard worker who was willing to put in the hours, the dedication and commitment required to make any business succeed. In fact, Tod had the Midas touch. Anything that was under Tod’s supervision or control would succeed without a doubt – both professionally and personally. Tod was the kind of player everyone wanted on their team. 
It was through his work at the television station that Tod met and interviewed Idaho Senator James McClure for a political news piece.  Tod later accepted a job offer from Senator McClure to work on his staff in Washington, DC.  He relocated from Idaho to Washington in the mid-1970s and became Senator McClure’s Press Secretary, later becoming his Chief of Staff. Tod compensated his long, hard working hours with some fun too. He was quite the adventurer. He went on a raft trip down the Salmon River in Idaho with the Forest Service.  He also crewed on the tall ship “Elissa,” as she returned home from the United States to Bermuda after the Statue of Liberty's centennial celebration.  On that voyage, he famously climbed to the top of the mast, a height of about 100 feet.  There were also notable official events, including a face-to-face meeting in Baghdad between Saddam Hussein and US officials.

In 1991 the Senator retired from the Senate.  At that point, Senator McClure, Tod and Jack Gerard, the Senator’s Chief Legislative Officer, formed a successful government relations consulting company:  McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander, Inc. (MGN).  They set up operations on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, and then later purchased their own building close to the Supreme Court and the Capitol.  Tod was a principal in MGN until selling the company in the early 2000s.  

An exciting, yet very demanding career, gave way for Tod to enjoy an early retirement. His courageous heart and childlike curiosity kept him busy enjoying the fruits of his labor as an avid yachtsman and world traveler.  He was a proficient sailboat captain and captained many cruises in the Caribbean and elsewhere. First in “bare boat” charters and then as co-owner with his friend Joseph Hartman of a 42-foot catamaran based in Belize.  

But yachts weren’t enough. Tod revived his youthful love of motorcycling and together with his friend Steve Horne, he took multiple motorcycle road trips over the years, including across the country and back.  
Tod and his wife, Silvana, built some of their best memories together by doing their favorite thing – traveling. They went on trans-Atlantic cruise ship journeys and many European trips, including to Italy to visit Silvana’s family. But nothing was more special for Tod than to share his travel journeys – and in turn, his life journeys – next to the woman he loved and cared for since the minute he met her nearly 11 years ago.
Tod leaves behind his beloved wife, Silvana Recine; his dear mother, Fran Neuenschwander; his brothers Neal and Scott; his sister Nora Brooke; his two nieces, Crystal Neuenschwander and Alexa Brooke; and his stepchildren, Stefano and Caterina Stratakis.

Friends are invited to celebrate Tod's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, February 13 from 1 to 4 p.m.  In memory of Tod, and in lieu of flowers or gifts, kindly donate to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, Inc., by visiting www.cjdfoundation.org. 

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Tod O. Neunschwander

Tod O. Neunschwander

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