DECEMBER 9 • 2021 | 61

E

ugene Neugebohr, 78, 
of Bloomfield Hills, 
died peacefully at 
home on Nov. 21, 2021. 
He was born in Russia 
in 1943 and immigrated to 
Israel in 1956. In 1965, he 
immigrated to the United 
States. 
Eugene was larger than 
life and truly enjoyed life 
to the fullest. He had many 
interests and was an avid 
sportsman, enjoying ski trips 
to Colorado with family 
and friends, helicopter 
skiing with his grandson 
Josh, motocross racing and 
auto racing with his son 
Oren and others at the M1 
racecourse and scuba diving 
with his wife, Ina. He loved 
to push his family to be as 
adventurous as he was and 
enjoyed visiting his grandson 
Itai at his hockey games, his 
granddaughter Paityn at her 
horseback riding shows and 
his eldest granddaughter 
Zoe at her swim meets and 
soccer games. 
Eugene also loved 
attending Pistons home 
games with Ina or daughter 
Claire. He was very family- 
oriented and loved to spend 
every moment that he could 
with his loved ones. He 
was incredibly proud of all 
his grandchildren and was 
looking forward to attending 
his grandson Josh’s wedding 
and granddaughter Zoe’s 
graduation from college 
in 2022. He always looked 
forward to receiving new 
artwork from granddaughter 
Paityn and hearing about the 
latest news in grandson Itai’s 
life at school.
Eugene was always ready 
for the next adventure. He 

loved to have fun and 
explore new places, 
interests, foods and 
art with his family 
and friends. The 
Neugebohr family 
traveled the world 
extensively with 
Eugene leading the 
group throughout 
Europe and Israel. Almost 
every Sunday Eugene would 
go to lunch with Ina and 
his grandchildren Paityn 
and Itai to his favorite 
restaurant and to the movies 
afterward. On Sunday 
afternoon, Eugene and 
Ina would visit Jordan, his 
special needs grandson, and 
Jordan’s friend, companion 
and caregiver, Marion. 
Eugene and Jordan had a 
very special relationship. 
Jordan loved his Saba with 
all his heart and would 
light up whenever Eugene 
walked into the room. They 
communicated in a way that 
was very special to them. 
When granddaughter 
Zoe began studying film 
production in high school, 
he never missed a screening 
or film festival in which 
she was involved. He never 
missed an opportunity to 
attend a rock concert with 
his daughter Claire or an 
opera, play or musical with 
his Ina. Eugene and Ina often 
would take Josh and Zoe on 
trips to Europe, where they 
loved to visit museums and 
historical sites.
Eugene also looked 
forward to Sunday morning 
motorcycle rides with the 
local chapter of the Chai 
Riders. Those rides were 
special to him, and he made 
many friends among the 

members. 
Eugene was very 
philanthropic. He 
and Ina always 
looked forward to 
attending FIDF 
functions with 
their son Oren, 
his wife, Kristen, 
and their daughter 
Claire; Eugene had a special 
connection with FIDF as 
a board member. He was 
a veteran of the Israel 
Defense Forces Armored 
Corps Division as a tank 
commander. He and Ina 
supported many students in 
the FIDF impact program, 
allowing soldiers to obtain 
college educations. He often 
stayed connected with and 
visited with the soldiers that 
he and Ina supported. The 
couple also supported the 
Friendship Circle, JARC 
and Variety the Children’s 
Charity among others. 
Eugene was an astute 
businessperson. He founded 
Auto Electric International 
in the basement of his Oak 
Park home and built it into 
an international supplier of 
remanufactured starters and 
alternators to the automotive 
aftermarket. He was so 
proud when his son Oren 
joined the business and 
helped grow it even further.
Eugene was loved and 
adored by everyone he 
crossed paths with. He 
was a bright star with 
a big smile. He had a 
magnetic personality that 
was irresistible. A true 
mensch, Eugene was loved 
by his family, friends and 
employees and respected in 
his industry as a leader and 
visionary. He was a man of 

great integrity, determination 
and always had a positive 
mental attitude. His 
attitude and encouragement 
impacted so many people in 
a positive way. 
Eugene will be sorely 
missed by everyone fortunate 
enough to know him. His life 
ended too soon, but it was a 
very full and happy life.
Mr. Neugebohr is survived 
by his wife of 55 years, Ina 
Neugebohr; daughter, Claire 
Kahn and her fiancé, Aubrey 
Tobin; son and daughter-
in-law, Oren and Kristen 
Neugebohr; grandchildren, 
Joshua Kahn and his 
fiancée, Mirtha Echeverria, 
Jordan Kahn and his loving 
caregiver and companion, 
Marion Frazine, and Zoe, 
Paytyn and Itai Neugebohr; 
brother and sister-in-law, 
Avi and Ada Neer; brother-
in-law and sister-in-law, 
Hanan and Magi Puterman; 
nieces and nephews, Noam 
Neer, Tal and Dror Neer 
Kastel, Sharon and Anat 
Puterman, Sagi Puterman, 
and Dan Puterman. He is 
also survived by many other 
loving relatives and friends.
Interment was at Clover 
Hill Park Cemetery. 
Contributions may be made 
to Friendship Circle, Meer 
Family Friendship Center, 
6892 W. Maple Road, West 
Bloomfield, MI 48322, 
friendshipcircle.org/donate; 
JARC, 6735 Telegraph Road, 
Suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, 
MI 48301; Friends of the 
IDF, Michigan Chapter, 
P.O. Box 999, Walled Lake, 
MI 48390, fidf.org/donate; 
or to a charity of one’s 
choice. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel. 

A Life of Adventure & Caring

Eugene 
Neugebohr