Robert was born May 8, 1926 in Aurora, SD to Frank I. and Fern (Griner) Neal.
Robert enlisted in the Navy at the age of seventeen on April 19, 1944. He was on active duty from June 1, 1944 until he received an honorable discharge as a Seaman first class on June 7, 1946. He served on the Destroyer USS Willard Keith (DD775). Robert was a 67 year continuous member of Legion Post 0092 in Redfield, South Dakota.
Bob married the love of his life, Evelyn Fern Neal on August 14, 1948 in Sioux Falls, SD. They spent over 72 devoted years by each other’s side.
Following his discharge Bob attended SDSU in Brookings, South Dakota for an education as a printer. He then worked for Arlington Sun Paper.
Robert and Evelyn moved to Redfield, SD in 1952 where he worked as a printer for the Redfield Press paper until he retired.
In 1985 Robert and Evelyn moved to Watertown, SD where she sold and serviced insurance for the surrounding area.
Robert was a member of the United Methodist Church in Redfield and then the First United Methodist Church in Watertown, SD.
In October 2018, Robert and Evelyn moved to Hermantown Minnesota.
Robert is survived by his three children, Patricia (Roger) Eckstrand (Green Valley AZ/Hermantown MN); Richard (Sharon) Neal (Aberdeen SD); Douglas (Nina) Neal, (Sioux Falls SD); seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Diane; his wife Evelyn in 2020, and his sister Phyllis (Neal) Kohnke. 

Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown serving the family- www.wightandcomes.com.