Honorees-
The De Neergaards

In 1888, Julius de Neergaard established Neergaard Pharmacies in Brooklyn. A little more than 20 years later, his son William de Neergaard (bottom left), a graduate of Columbia University College of Pharmacy, joined him in business. Together, they developed a firm known for its in-depth prescription department inventory and began the tradition of remaining open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more than 50 years Neergaard Pharmacies was one of only two pharmacies in the city that were open “round-the-clock.” In 1937, the same year that the de Neergaards opened a second store in Park Slope, William de Neergaard was elected a member of the board of trustees of the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy (now the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences). He served for many years on the board, receiving an honorary doctorate from the College for his dedication to the institution in 1955. In addition, he served on the board of the Greater New York Savings Bank; as chairman of the New York State Board of Pharmacy; and as a member of the board of trustees of Brooklyn Hospital. He died in 1975, but his legacy, business and interest in the College of Pharmacy lives on through his son, William F. de Neergaard (top).

Born in Brooklyn, William F. de Neergaard earned his B.S. in pharmacy from the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in 1947. He served three years in the Navy during World War II
with the Amphibious Forces, Pacific, and earned his B.A. in philosophy from Syracuse University before deciding to follow in the path of his father and grandfather, eventually becoming president of Neergaard Pharmacies.

A former chair of the New York State Board of Pharmacy, Mr. de Neergaard was elected to the College of Pharmacy's board of trustees in 1969. In 1979, he became a trustee of Long Island University, serving as a member of the Executive committee and as chair of the Academic Affairs committee. He currently serves as a trustee emeritus. In addition, he chaired the Pharmacy Council of Overseers from 1980-1983. The College bestowed upon him the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1981, the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1987, the Distinguished Service Award in 1988 and an honorary doctorate in 1998.

Mr. de Neergaard always has been active in many areas of the Brooklyn community. Early in his career, he was named Distinguished Young Man of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He also has served as a director of the Greater New York Savings Bank, as a trustee of the Faith Home Foundation and the Navy YMCA, and as president of the Brooklyn Rotary Club. He is a voting member of Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Greater NY, a member and chairman of the Brooklyn Advisory Board of the Salvation Army and a member of the New York Yacht Club.

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