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Neely, Dr. Robert Allen "Bob" M.D. (1921-2014)
Neely, Robert Allen (-2014)
Obituary
2014
Bellville Times
Robert “Dr. Bob” Allen Neely, M.D. On the night of Monday, November 24, 2014, heaven gained an angel when Dr. Bob peacefully left this world. At the time of his passing, he was at his home in Bellville, Texas surrounded by the love and comfort of his beloved wife, Joy. He was 93 years old. Dr. Bob truly was a gentleman of the finest order. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who placed the utmost importance on family. He was a gifted, dedicated physician who served the Bellville community for just shy of 50 years. He was a decorated veteran who loved his country with every inch of his being. He had an enviable, solid, and unshakeable Christian faith, and was a spirited member and supporter of his church, St. John Lutheran Church of Bellville. He was passionate about and unfaltering in his commitment to philanthropy. He had a fabulous sense of humor, and a knack for brightening the days of those fortunate enough to cross his path. He loved travelling, fishing, golfing, reading, photography, and the Texas Longhorns. Dr. Bob was a loving, compassionate, gentle, intelligent, talented, and supremely interesting man who will be dearly missed. Dr. Bob was born on March 1, 1921 in Temple, Texas to Dr. Jubal Allen Neely and Mrs. Almeida Brookfield Fordtran Neely. He grew up in Bellville with his parents and younger brother, Dr. Winston Brookfield Neely. Almeida taught her sons to respect and appreciate their German ancestry and heritage, which stemmed from her grandfather, Charles Fordtran. Dr. Bob enjoyed sharing the story of his great-grandfather’s pivotal role in establishing the State of Texas. Charles, a German of Huguenot descent, immigrated to America in 1830. In January of 1831, Charles joined Friedrich Ernst to move to Texas as part of the Stephen F. Austin Colony. Charles and Friedrich began the first permanent German settlement in Texas, which subsequently developed into the town of Industry. Upon arriving in Texas, Charles was tasked with surveying land on behalf of the Stephen F. Austin Colony. As compensation for his work, Charles was given a league of land in what is now Austin County, which remained in Dr. Bob’s family for over 130 years. There is a Texas Historical Marker located on Highway 159, about one mile west of Industry, that is dedicated to Charles and his contributions to Texas history. Dr. Bob graduated from Bellville High School in 1938, and shortly thereafter began his life-long affiliation and love affair with the University of Texas. Dr. Bob graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1942, with a degree of Bachelors of Science, and from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1944, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Bob completed his post-graduate training in Ophthalmology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and later interned and completed his Ophthalmology residency at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. In 1957, the American Board of Ophthalmology certified Dr. Bob as a specialist in Ophthalmology. While attending medical school in Galveston, Dr. Bob met the first love of his life, Miss Eleanor Virginia Stein. On June 29, 1944, Dr. Bob married Eleanor in Galveston at the Trinity Episcopal Church. On October 19, 1945, Dr. Bob and Eleanor welcomed twin sons, Dr. Byron Davis Neely and Dr. Warren Fordtran Neely, into this world. They also had a daughter, Patricia Ann, but the Lord called Patricia to heaven shortly after her birth. Dr. Bob and Eleanor were married for almost 46 years when she passed away on January 9, 1990. Four days before marrying Eleanor, Dr. Bob was commissioned in the United States Navy Medical Corps. During World War II, Dr. Bob served in the Navy’s Amphibious Forces, for which he was awarded the American Campaign Medal. He also served during the Korean Conflict as a Senior Medical Corps Officer, for which he received the National Defense Service Medal. Dr. Bob was a proud veteran and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dr. Bob practiced medicine for 49 years, and aside from his time spent practicing medicine in the Navy, Dr. Bob maintained his medical practice in Bellville for the entirety of his medical career. Prior to specializing in Ophthalmology, Dr. Bob practiced family medicine in Bellville for several years. Thereafter, Dr. Bob became Bellville’s one and only Ophthalmologist, until a new crop of Ophthalmologists opened up shop in Bellville toward the end of Dr. Bob’s career. In fact, if you are a Bellville resident over the age of 30, it is likely that you were once one of Dr. Bob’s patients. Dr. Bob was impassioned with his work, and steadfast in his commitment to serving the vision needs of the Bellville community. He retired from the active practice of medicine on December 31, 1992 at the age of 71. Dr. Bob was an active member of both the local and national medical communities. He was a former trustee and staff member of the Bellville General Hospital, and the former President of Mid-Tex Nursing Homes. He was a member and former President of both the Austin-Grimes-Waller Counties Medical Society and the Ninth District Medical Society. He was also a member of the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, and the Texas Ophthalmology Association. Dr. Bob was particularly engaged with the Texas Medical Association. He served in the Texas Medical Association’s House of Delegates, and as a member of the Board of Directors of its Political Action Committee. In addition, Dr. Bob was a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Medical Society of Vienna. On August 24, 1990, Dr. Bob married the second love of his life, Mrs. Joy Snodgrass Brown, in College Station, Texas. Joy shared Dr. Bob’s love of travelling, and a majority of their golden years were spent travelling the world. Dr. Bob was an adventurous globetrotter, having travelled to all seven continents. His favorite trip with Joy was to the Galápagos Islands. One of the most notable aspects of Dr. Bob’s character was his selfless dedication to his church and community, and to a multitude of civic, patriotic, and charitable organizations. Dr. Bob was a dedicated congregant of St. John’s for 50 years. He was a member and the former President of St. John’s Church Council, and a member of St. John’s Stewardship, Twelve Keys, and Trust Committees. He also served as St. John’s Seminary Appeals Coordinator, and a member of its Lay Assistants. Dr. Bob was an avid participant in and advocate for the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and he served on the Advisory Board of the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Bob’s commitment to service and to the Boy Scouts was so great that he received the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts of America’s council-level distinguished service award. In addition, Dr. Bob was diligently immersed with the German-Texan Heritage Society, serving as a member of its Advisory Board and a former member of its Board of Directors. He was equally committed to his support of and involvement with his local community. Dr. Bob was a member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Bellville, a founding member and former President of the Bellville Area United Fund, and a member and former President of the Bellville Lions Club. Dr. Bob was a huge proponent and champion of education who bestowed his time and resources to improving and developing access to education. He was a member and former President of the Board of Directors of the Bellville Independent School District. Dr. Bob was also a dynamically involved University of Texas alumnus. He was a Life Member of the University of Texas Alumni Association (the Texas Exes), and a member of its Chancellor’s Council, Littlefield Society, and President’s Associates. He was also a Life Member of the Alumni Association of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and a member of its Heritage Society. Dr. Bob is survived by: his wife, Joy Snodgrass Neely, of Bellville, Texas; his son, Dr. Byron Davis Neely, and wife Geralyn, of La Grange, Texas; his son, Warren Fordtran Neely, and wife Kimberly, of San Antonio, Texas; his grandson, Chadwick Gandy Neely, of Austin, Texas; his granddaughter, Caroline Neely Rose, and husband Thomas, of Pasadena, California; his granddaughter, Melina Elizabeth Neely, of Dallas, Texas; his grandson, Robert Joseph Neely, of Austin, Texas; his two great-grandchildren, Eleanor Grace Rose and Thomas Neely Rose, of Pasadena, California; his step-daughter, Bette Brown Craig, and husband Michael, of Huntsville, Texas; his step-grandson, Samuel Jamison Craig, and wife Damekia, of Conroe, Texas; his step-grandson, Toby David Craig, of Houston, Texas; and his step-great-grandson, Jamison Lee Craig, of Conroe, Texas. Dr. Bob was predeceased by: his first wife, Eleanor Virginia Neely; his infant daughter, Patricia Ann; his brother, Dr. Winston Brookfield Neely; and his step-grandson, Zachary Taylor Craig. Dr. Bob’s funeral was held at 10:30 am on Monday, December 1, 2014 at St. John’s, and was officiated by Pastor Andrew Bell. The pallbearers were Bobby Lange, Carl Harris, Charlie Menke, Clarence Harris, Johnny Spiess, Newton Boriack, Ronnie Harris, and Vit Janda. The honorary pallbearers were Edward McDonough, James Harle, Mark Ellis, Tom Bourbon, Van Massirer, and the following Members of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Bellville: Carl Hubble, Gene Menn, James Lindemann, Mike Aldredge, Mike Mueller, Robert Beamon, Steve Lackey, Steve Zapalac, William Lange, and W.T. Byler. Dr. Bob was interred at Bellville’s Oak Knoll Cemetery. The Knesek Family Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Dr. Bob’s family would like to extend their deepest and sincerest appreciation and gratitude to: Pastor Andrew Bell, for his spiritual guidance and support; Jim and Tommie Knesek, for all of their kindness and assistance; Ronnie Harris and Carl Harris, for being Dr. Bob’s loyal and faithful friends for the past 40 plus years, and for providing him with an abundance of help; Clarence and Barbara Harris, for the care, comfort, and love provided to Dr. Bob and his family; the First National Bank of Bellville community, particularly Robin Nehrkorn, Neely Grawunder, and Kathy Ignasiak, for consistently going above and beyond to assist Dr. Bob and his family; the St. John’s community, for instilling and developing Dr. Bob’s strong, unwavering Christian faith, and for constantly filling his heart with gratitude and joy; the entire Bellville community, for giving Dr. Bob the opportunity to live, work, raise a family, and meaningfully participate in such a wonderful, close-knit town; and every other individual who ever shared love, kindness, or a smile with Dr. Bob and his family. In an effort to honor Dr. Bob’s charitable spirit, the family kindly requests that anyone who may feel inclined to offer an expression of sympathy please provide a contribution to the charity of their choice in memory of Dr. Bob. “Our dear Lord has blessed me and my family in countless ways, and I know that we are unworthy, but I am eternally grateful for all that he has done for us. I love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, our Church, our pastors, and our congregation. Amen.” – Dr. Bob Posted by Bruce White |
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Neely
Robert Allen
2014
5058
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