Robert Neal

Robert Jack Neal, Age 89, Resident of Air Force Village I, San Antonio, TX, Died Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Air Force Village I of natural causes. Born October 22, 1920 in Drakes Creek, AR to Zephro William and Grace Sharp Neal. He was married May 6, 1942 to Helen Pauline Grim, of Green Forest, AR in Alexandria, Virginia, she preceded him in death on August 22, 2004. He is also preceded in death by: two brothers, Olen Neal and Clarence Neal, and one grandson, David Matthew Neal. Robert Jack Neal was born in Drakes Creek, Arkansas and raised in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. After high school he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville studying Engineering. He enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers in July, 1940. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in July of 1941. He was accepted into Officers Candidate's School graduating in 1942. After graduation he was eligible for flight training which fulfilled a lifelong dream to fly airplanes. He completed flight training in 1943 graduating at the top of his class. He served as an instructor and a pilot during WWII. He separated from the Army Air Corps in 1945 resuming his studies in Engineering at the University of Arkansas. He was accepted into the newly formed United States Air Force in November of 1947. He was Air Supply Squadron Commander on Guam where he managed over 400 men and maintained over 100 aircraft. Subsequent to his tour in Guam he was the Wing Commander of Supply in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in California. He was loaned to the US Corps of Engineers in France from 1952 to 1956 to assist in the rebuilding of the military infrastructure destroyed by WWII. He completed this assignment and returned to the USAF in 1956 stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. He was assigned to flight crew duty as the aircraft commander for SAC and was Wing Commander of the 100th Bomb wing until his retirement in 1962. After retirement from the USAF he built his dream home in Springdale, Arkansas. During this time he was plant manager for Kearney Electric in Fayetteville. He left Kearney to direct the newly formed White River Rural Water Association. In 1973 he became the head of the Springdale Water and Waste Water Department. During his 10 years there its facilities expanded to match the city's growth while at the same time the number of people it employed decreased. Major expansions during his tenure include installation of miles of 24 inch and 36 inch water mains and a five million gallon tank was erected and booster to support it. The city's wastewater treatment plant was expanded from a facility capable of treating 8 million gallons of sewage per day to one handling 16 million gallons per day. He upgraded the department by installing a comprehensive computer system to handle all billings, records, accounting, inventory control, job and work orders, maintenance orders, meter repair schedules, payrolls and vehicle reports. He also installed computer monitoring of the water distribution system throughout the city. He retired from the Water Department in April, 1983. During his retirement he enjoyed restoring multiple antique automobiles. He also enjoyed time with family, fishing, and travel to various locations including Europe, Russia, Alaska and the Panama Canal. He attended the First United Methodist Church in Springdale until 2004 when he became a member of the Silent Grove Baptist Church. He was a member of the Rotary International and on the board of the Salvation Army. He is survived by: Wife Doris Russell Neal whom he married January 1, 2005. 2 children: John Robert Neal and his wife, Mary Lu, of Harrison AR and Theta Marie Shank and her husband, Terry, of Rome, GA 7 Grandchildren: Todd Henley, Eric Henley, Jessica Henley, Traci Neal, Annie Wolfe, Jason Shank and Maggie Bergen 5 Great grandchildren: Nena Reese, Cooper Neal, Millicent Neal, Isabella Wolfe, Reegan Wolfe, Ethan Thompson and Chloe Thompson. Visitation for the general public is Tuesday, February 2, 5-7 pm at the Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, AR. Funeral services are also at the chapel Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 12:30 pm. Interment is immediately following at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The Reverend Steven Johnson, Senior Pastor of Silent Grove Baptist Church, will be officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made: In support of child burn victims to Camp Sunshine, c/o the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, 1 Children's Way, Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202 In support of marriages in crisis to WinShape Retreat, P. O. Box 490007, Mt. Berry, GA 30149