Lasting Memories

João (John) Carlos Neves
June 16, 1941-Oct. 20, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Longtime Palo Alto resident John Neves passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Born in Bahia, Brazil he was 85 years old and leaves no immediate family.

He lived a celebratory, joy-filled life. His warmth, ebullience, and joyful spirit will be missed by all those with whom he worked, played music and taught. 

John came to the US in 1967 to take an electronics job with the Singer Company in Bridgeport, CT. In 1973 he received a BSEE from New Haven College. Subsequently he attended Villanova University, and obtained US citizenship in Pennsylvania in 1974. In 1975, John moved to Palo Alto.

John lived in Palo Alto for more than fifty years, working for a variety of companies in the exploding Bay Area tech sector. He was one of the first 32 members of the legendary Homebrew Computer Club, in Palo Alto in 1975.

His lifelong interest in ham radio began when he was a high school student in Brazil.  He was also an avid bicyclist.

Concurrent throughout his decades of analog, video and digital engineering, John Neves was a dedicated teacher and performer of Brazilian music.  He played Brazilian percussion, specializing in pandeiro, cuíca, and drumset. He also performed on flute and soprano saxophone.

John conducted classes in Brazilian percussion and formed Escola de Samba ensembles at both Stanford University and the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View, where he went on to coordinate the CSMA Jazz Combo Program. John performed with various Brazilian ensembles throughout the Bay Area.

His positive energy radiated to all those around him. He will be missed and remembered fondly.