Robert Louis Neal
July 3rd, 1928 - September 3rd, 2022
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Robert's Obituary
Robert Louis Neal’s typical response to “See you later, alligator” was “After while crocodile.” Those were the last words spoken by our dad who passed away on Saturday, Sep 3, 2022.
Bob was born on July 3, 1928, in Hamilton Ohio. He retired from Bendix Corporation where he started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. He was employed by Bendix Corporation three times in his life. Once when he lived in Hamilton Ohio, the second time in Stevensville Michigan, and the third time after he retired from Bendix. He was valued for his expertise and strong work ethic; he was affectionately christened with the nickname S.O.B. “Sweet Ol’ Bob.” He was considered a “man’s man” due to his fortitude and vision to be the best person he could be for his family and for his community.
One particular thing that our Dad was known for was his distinctive whistle. Some families have a bell to clang to gather everyone around the dinner table, but our signal to head home in the middle of play time was Dad’s unique whistle. Everyone in the neighborhood recognized it and tried to copy it!
Bob enjoyed bowling and was also an avid golfer. We know he had at least two hole-in-ones, but depending on with whom you talked, he could have had 3. He loved playing golf with his family, friends, colleagues, and church members. After retiring Bob was an active volunteer at Lakeland Hospital. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, along with his wife Grace, whose 71 years of marriage were exemplary.
He leaves behind his daughter Melissa Clapper, son William (Marsha) Neal, daughter Mary (Fred) Zemlick, daughter Nancy (Stan) Evans, son Thomas (Cheryl) Neal, daughter Sarah (Paul) Spears, and son John (Susan) Neal. His daughter Barbara Clark (Christine Kaspersazak) preceded him in death. His 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren will remember him as a fun loving yet stern grandfather. His children will remember him as a man who always looked for solutions to whatever hand life dealt him. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Lee, his sister, Doris Ann Hensley, and his brothers in law Ott Hensley and Richard Hapner.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 12, at 10:00 am. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., Saint Joseph. Private interment will be at 11:00am. Please join us for a luncheon at noon at The Rose Center in St Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida, St. Vincent DePaul Society, or the Alzheimer's Association.
Bob was born on July 3, 1928, in Hamilton Ohio. He retired from Bendix Corporation where he started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. He was employed by Bendix Corporation three times in his life. Once when he lived in Hamilton Ohio, the second time in Stevensville Michigan, and the third time after he retired from Bendix. He was valued for his expertise and strong work ethic; he was affectionately christened with the nickname S.O.B. “Sweet Ol’ Bob.” He was considered a “man’s man” due to his fortitude and vision to be the best person he could be for his family and for his community.
One particular thing that our Dad was known for was his distinctive whistle. Some families have a bell to clang to gather everyone around the dinner table, but our signal to head home in the middle of play time was Dad’s unique whistle. Everyone in the neighborhood recognized it and tried to copy it!
Bob enjoyed bowling and was also an avid golfer. We know he had at least two hole-in-ones, but depending on with whom you talked, he could have had 3. He loved playing golf with his family, friends, colleagues, and church members. After retiring Bob was an active volunteer at Lakeland Hospital. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, along with his wife Grace, whose 71 years of marriage were exemplary.
He leaves behind his daughter Melissa Clapper, son William (Marsha) Neal, daughter Mary (Fred) Zemlick, daughter Nancy (Stan) Evans, son Thomas (Cheryl) Neal, daughter Sarah (Paul) Spears, and son John (Susan) Neal. His daughter Barbara Clark (Christine Kaspersazak) preceded him in death. His 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren will remember him as a fun loving yet stern grandfather. His children will remember him as a man who always looked for solutions to whatever hand life dealt him. He is preceded in death by his wife, Grace Lee, his sister, Doris Ann Hensley, and his brothers in law Ott Hensley and Richard Hapner.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 12, at 10:00 am. at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., Saint Joseph. Private interment will be at 11:00am. Please join us for a luncheon at noon at The Rose Center in St Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Florida, St. Vincent DePaul Society, or the Alzheimer's Association.
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