Red Hill Lutheran

For 16 years, from 1970 through 1986, Jim was the heart and soul of Red Hill Lutheran School—his pleasant and welcoming demeanor as iconic as his short-sleeve white shirt, whistle tucked in the shirt pocket, and tie—often tied a bit short.

It was a rare day when you did not find Jim welcoming students being dropped off at school or saying goodbye as they left campus for the day.

Jim’s commitment to the success of Red Hill Lutheran went far beyond mere devotion. His unwavering dedication to the school and its students defied simple description. Here Jim was attending a school sporting event.

Jim taking a break during a Saturday work party to install a new wooden fort play structure in the back corner of the school playground. Steve recalls this event and also has a particular memory of Jim and others digging a massive hole to unearth a large palm tree from the inner walled play yard used by the youngest children.

Jim attending one of the annual 8th grade Outdoor Ed camps near Frazier Park, CA., flashlight at the ready. He frequently chaperoned school dances, plays, and other programs held in the old Sunday Hall.

Jim was ever-ready with a corny “dad joke” or a funny face.

Jim hard at work in the principal’s office with the RHLS Eagles banner proudly displayed behind his desk.

Despite the many duties of being principal of a large school, Jim continued to teach classes, largely 7th and 8th grade math.

Overhead projector and a pencil tucked behind his right ear—classic Jim Neumann.

Wait! Did Anthony Michael Hall attend Red Hill Lutheran School?!

One-on-one instruction—one of the hallmarks of a quality Lutheran education.

Jim may be most remembered for participating in sports with students. Here he is playing basketball—still wearing his tie—along with Mr. Anderson (right) and some students. Teachers vs. students softballs games famously marked the end of each school year.

Jim was also renowned for his thought-provoking, morally grounded messages during Wednesday chapel services. One morning while riding his bike from home to school along Red Hill Avenue, he noticed arborists trimming the trees in front of the Tustin Villas Apartments just north of San Juan Street. He was intrigued that only 7 of the 8 trees were trimmed—one owner apparently refusing to pay to have their tree pruned.

Months and years later, Jim observed that the untrimmed tree was noticeably smaller than those that had been pruned. He used his simple observation as a life lesson in accepting those moments in life when God allows events that “prune” us, for it is only after pruning that we can truly grow. Here is the tree in 2025, still underperforming some 40-plus years after Jim made his famous observation.

Grade 8 in 1974, at the end of Jim’s fourth full year at Red Hill Lutheran.