That started with the young judge running for City Council and, armed with a push broom and a sharp intellect, he won a four-year term in office. The next logical step was to run for Mayor. Howard won that race too, then for good measure, he did it again when he ran for a second term.

A lot of TV shows and films were being shot in the Miami area and, as a local mayor, Howard met a lot of influential people in the entertainment world. He started getting invitations to perform as word spread that he had acted on stage and was also an exceptional singer. The latter talent brought Howard an invitation to sing the National Anthem at a Miami Dolphins game against the Green Bay Packers. 

Howard also earned speaking roles in feature films that decided to shoot in his town, including a role as the biology teacher in Porky's II (the sequel to the wildly popular comedy Porky's). On other movie sets he got to rub shoulders with Burt Reynolds, John Saxon and a number of other stars.

Howard Neu coming off the field at Miami's 
Joe Robbie Stadium after singing the National Anthem

Having enjoyed success in politics, Howard decided it was time to pivot and take full advantage if his law degree in private practice. It was in that capacity that Howard happened to cross paths with the The Domain King, Rick Schwartz, in 1999. Howard had been involved in a highly publicized case that had implications for the newly emerging field of domain investment where Rick was a pioneer. In that role, Howard, along with John Berryhill and Ari Goldberger, became the most widely known attorneys who had expertise in legal matters involving domains. Collectively, they were known as the Three Amigos and they played a critical role in protecting domain owner's rights at a time they were under ferocious assault.

Howard Neu and Rick Schwartz

Howard and Rick's relationship blossomed into a full partnership and in October 2004 they launched the industry's first major conference for domain investors - T.R.A.F.F.I.C. - with an event that would change the trajectory of the business in a dramatic way - propelling it into the high orbit it maintains today. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. had an extraordinarily influential 10-year run that ended when Rick entered semi-rertirement while Howard, wife Barbara and son Ray moved forward with new shows under their own banners (Merge! and The Domain Conference).

Howard Neu, Barbara Neu and Ray Dillman Neu at the 
2015 edition  of THE Domain Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

While T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and the conferences that followed provided a great opportunity to meet key players in person and learn the ins and outs of the industry, perhaps the most valuable role they played was accelerating the creation of a global community of domain investors and developers. Bringing people with a unique kinship together produced, through their increasing numbers and solidarity, the kind of political clout needed to protect the interests of its members. That in turn assures the kind of stability needed to attract further investment and spreads recognition of quality domains as high value assets. 

....and that's just the start of an illustrious and ever-growing family tree branching out from Howard.

Above: Howard surrounded by his daughters and four grandkids, Clockwise from Howard are daughter Carol, grandsons Chad Solarski, Brandon Goldberg, Brian Goldberg, daughter Wendy and granddaughter Alexa.

Below: Now let's talk about great grandkids! Left to right after Howard are grandson Brian Goldberg holding great grandson Matthew, daughter Wendy Goldberg holding grandson Myles and oldest grandson Brandon Goldberg - four generations in one photo (picture taken by Barbara, my favorite photographer).

Below: Wendy's husband, Ira Goldberg, is not in the photo above but no story about this family would be complete without him, so here we see Ira and Howard all decked out in their favorite team's gear!

Above: Howard at the center of some of the family members who
made a beeline for the cake and desserts at his 80th birthday party. 

After getting together with Howard and Barbara countless times through the years the most memorable one for us will always be the last one. Barbara wanted to get some close friends together to take Howard to his happy place, the beach, one more time. Our mutual friends, Colin and Kim Campbell made that possible in a spectacular way when they brought our group together at a beautiful beach home they have on North Captiva Island, located of Florida's Gulf Coast and accessible only by boat. We went at the end of October and it did wonders for Howard's morale as well as ours, especially after seeing him go through much over the previous year.

Left to right on North Capitiva Island October 2023: Julie & Joe Foster, Barbara & Howard Neu, Colin & Kim Campbell, Diana & Ron Jackson and, all the way from Australia, Michael Gilmour and Matt Herbert.

We talked several times on the phone after that. When the last call came, three days before he passed, Howard and Barbara were both on the line. They were personally calling family and a few friends to let them know that hospice had come into the home. Despite everything he went through and how sick he was, Howard still wanted to personally say goodbye. That is who he is and how strong his spirit remained at that late stage.

But is he really? I don't think so. I know for sure the memories he left will keep him with us until we go too - but beyond that - I believe the show goes on, just on a different stage - one where our rock star, Howard Neu, is playing right now.  

So, dear friend, we'll say goodbye for now, but we will catch up again at the next stop down the line!

Howard & Barbara Neu, Diana & Ron Jackson - all together on the beach one last time.