On Nov. 7 life-long Bluffton resident Bob Neff passed a milestone achieved by only a handful of world residents.

He celebrated the 30th anniversary of having a heart transplant. His transplant occurred in 1985, one day after his 33rd birthday.

“I think about it every day,” Bob told the Icon in an interview last week. “I’m blessed with a gift and I don’t take it lightly. The Lord has me here for a purpose.”

Neff’s heart problems date back to the age of 13, when several bouts of pneumonia prompted his doctor to send him to Columbus Children’s Hospital.

Initially, doctors performed surgery for what they thought was a defective heart valve. 

Instead, they found that his heart muscle was damaged by an unknown virus.

At that time, Neff was told to focus on a career that didn’t involve much physical activity – with sports off that list.  So, Neff focused on what he could do with his head. He pursued a career in architecture and became a licensed architect in 1984.

By the time Neff turned 33, in 1985, his health declined and his heart began to enlarge and lose efficiency.  He was hospitalized in Lima, then Columbus, and eventually was air flighted to Pittsburgh for a transplant. He recalls that there was very little time to prepare for the transplant, which he later realized was a blessing.

Making a very long story short, upon his recovery Neff returned to his profession, where he has excelled.  He has been able to leave his “mark” on numerous buildings in Bluffton as well as northwest Ohio.

“It’s very sobering (living with a heart transplant). I feel very fortunate,” he said. “I have developed and maintained a positive attitude toward life.  It’s all a venture in faith.”

Some quick facts about heart transplants

• The first-ever successful heart transplant operation was performed in South Africa in 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard.  The patient, Louis Washkansky, survived for 18 days with the new heart.

• Guiness World Book of Records – The world record for a successful heart transplant is now approximately 33 years. The longest living adult single heart transplant recipient is John McCafferty from Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England.  He received his new heart on Oct. 20, 1982.