In Memoriam: Neal Mast

Jennifer Zurko

Neal Mast passed away August 25 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after fighting primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) for more than 14 years. He was 90 years old.

Neal and his wife Jackie emigrated with two children from the Netherlands in 1948 and, after working several jobs, started Neal Mast Greenhouse. Over the years, Neal built the business to one of the leading greenhouse companies in Michigan. The Masts had five more children in the following years.

All four sons were interested in the business and Neal helped each one start their own company—Andy Mast Greenhouse, Laketown Greenhouse, Glass Corner Greenhouse and Neal Mast & Son Greenhouse.

An email from one his sons Rick Mast read: “For Neal, the greenhouse was his hobby as well as his work. He was always looking for a better, more efficient way to do things. Even after he retired, he loved to visit all four businesses to keep up with things and to offer advice. Neal also had a very strong faith and did his best to conduct his life and business in a fair and ethical way. He was dearly loved by his family and will be sorely missed.” GT