Neil Jay Rovner, 72, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2019 of salivary gland cancer.

Raised in Margate City, NJ, Neil lived in the Harrisburg area from 1975 until his death. Neil went to Atlantic City High School and spent his summers working along the beach with people from all walks of life, an experience which contributed to his strong work ethic and liberal values. In 1964, he joined the vigil protesting the exclusion of African-Americans from the Mississippi delegation to the Democratic Convention held in Atlantic City.

Following graduation from ACHS, Neil attended Lafayette College, where he made Dean's list, and graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1968. He protested the Vietnam War at Lafayette, but rather than flee from the draft, he volunteered for the Peace Corps. After returning from the Peace Corps, he earned a Master's in Education from Temple in 1970. From '71-'74, he attended law school at Temple University at night while teaching at Cherry Hill West High School NJ during the day.

After admission to the PA bar in 1975, he clerked for the Honorable Glenn E. Mencer on the Commonwealth Court. Neil's practice was devoted to plaintiff's personal injury, including medical malpractice and product liability. He was recognized in Best Lawyers in America for 20 years, and in 2013 was named a Top 100 trial lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. In 2014, he was selected by his peers as Lawyer of the Year in the Harrisburg area by Best Lawyers.

Despite the seriousness of his work, Neil was known for his sharp sense of humor. He was a tireless advocate for his clients and a gracious mentor to young attorneys both at Angino & Rovner, where he worked for 38 years, and NOW Law since 2015. Neil was a hobbyist astronomer, a fan of the Phillies and George Carlin, and a lifelong student of Shakespeare. While at Lafayette, he acted in 5 theatrical productions. Neil also directed an off-off-off-off Broadway production of The Fantasticks while serving on the island of Saipan, Micronesia with the Peace Corps.

Since 2005, Neil has worked to ensure the legacy of Hope Springs Farm, a day program in Hershey he created with his wife to benefit their daughter and other adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism. Hope Springs Farm provides their "growers" with the meaningful experience of tending organic crops and caring for animals.

Neil is survived by his wife, Nina Rovner; children Miriam Rovner of Hershey, Matt Rovner of Seattle, WA, Adam Rovner (Jessica Cohen), and granddaughter Talia Rovner of Denver, CO; brother William Rovner (Donna) of Robbinsville, NJ, and sister Saralee Rovner Leary (Tim) of Portsmouth, RI; he was predeceased by parents Harvey and Felice Rovner. Funeral services were held on Sunday, July 21, 2019 in the Chapel of Chisuk Emuna Cemetery, 49 North 34th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109. Burial in Chisuk Emuna Cemetery.

Donations in Neil's memory may be made to Hope Spring Farm.