Robert Scharles Neville, better known as “Bob” by his family and friends, was born June 3, 1929 on a farm on the Milesville Flat to Clinton and Florence (Eymer) Neville. He attended grade school in Milesville.
Bob was united in marriage to Arlys L. Hansen on October 15, 1950, in Philip, South Dakota, and to this union five children were born.
Bob worked for various ranchers around the Philip area. In 1963 they purchased the Ed and Opal Bodkin place west of Billsburg where they resided until moving into Philip in 2008. Bob was a member of the Milesville Lutheran Church when he lived in Milesville and later a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Philip. He was an avid fisherman of catfish, sheep herder, and a never-ending storyteller.
Survivors include four children Kenny Neville and his wife Nancy of Philip, Bobby Gene Neville of Rapid City, Marlys "Molly" Kukal and her husband Marty of Garrison, Montana, and Randy Neville and his wife Bessie of El Paso, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother Jerry Neville and his wife Joy of Philip; one sister Grace Mack of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Arlys Neville on September 22, 2009; a daughter Marilyn Neville on July 24, 1992; a great-granddaughter Elizabeth; his parents Clinton and Florence Neville; a sister and brother-in-law Lila and Caroll Ames; a sister Lyla Ames; and a brother-in-law James Mack.
A memorial has been established. Cards and memorials may be sent to Kenny Neville, P.O. Box 683, Philip, SD 57567.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Gregory Hinners officiating.
Interment will be at the Milesville Cemetery.
Grandpa
Long-sleeve Western shirts.
Saggy, wear-faded blue jeans
Held in place with only a pair of rainbow-striped suspenders.
A greasy Hanrahan Construction cap
Protecting the wisps of gray hair that stick up straight
If you don’t comb them just right.
This over a work-tanned, wrinkled face
With deep-set, teasing, brown eyes and a stubborn chin.
You sit in your age-fuzzed, dirty-mustard recliner
With the sheep’s fleece cover
Playing Solitaire, spitting into old soup cans,
Watching Vanna White and flipping channels.
I can remember hiding under the cake table at the church
With Lacie and Micki the day of you and Grandma’s anniversary.
We all had dresses on and were swinging our feet up in the air,
And you crawled under there with us.
Mom thought the table, cake and all,
Was going to come down on top of us.
I remember laughing at your “trousers”,
Putting flies in your chew (Surprise!),
Checking cattle and water with you,
And all of us girls fishing while you baited the hooks–
Again…and again…and again.
And I remember the way you cried
At Marilyn’s funeral… Your “Sunshine”,
And tipped over the potted plant at Grandpa Clint’s funeral.
From your chair you tease us about boys,
And giggle and get that goofy grin when we blush.
You give us weekly reports about what’s been goin’ on…
Over the phone.
And yell at Whiskey and drink glasses and glasses of sun tea,
And tape us Bob Hope and the Bull-o-Rama.
I’ve inherited your gift of gab, I think,
But never your quick wit,
Or your ability to talk to any stranger,
And make him a friend.
These are what I’ll remember, Grandpa
Written by Marta Kukal
7th Grade
Guest Book
Molly and family - sending our sincere sympathy to your family. Cherish all your great memories!
~ Tucker and Bev Hudson
Howes, SD (3/18/2020)
Molly, Kenny and families, our deepest condolences for your loss. Bob was always so sweet and what a character! Heaven has gained a beautiful soul! Blessed be!
~ Kelly & Jeff Penticoff
Philip, SD (3/17/2020)
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of you. God Bless
~ Vicki Neiderworder
Philip SD (3/16/2020)
I have very fond memories of Uncle Bob.
~ Rodney and Noreen Neville
Montevideo, MN (3/18/2020)
So sorry for your loss, Cody always enjoyed the time he work for Bob, fixing fence, working cows and shearing sheep. Also enjoyed his many true story's. He will very much be missed.
~ Cody and Donna Bendigo
Faith So Dak (3/17/2020)
Sending my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Bob was quite a guy and will be missed by many. Keep those precious memories close.
~ Karen Hanson
Rapid City (3/18/2020)
Sending sincere condolences to all of Bobs family. Grew up neighbors and a few years younger than Bob. I could always expect some teasing when he was around! RIP Bob
~ Leo Gittings
Nemo, SD (3/19/2020)
I sure am going to miss all those old sheepherding stories he liked to tell that usually involved my Dad. Always a jokester. My prayers and sympathy to you all.
~ Val Schulz
Philip (3/16/2020)
Family of Bob Neville,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am thankful of the opportunity Bob gave me as a young teen to live and work for him in the summer months. It was an experience that I have forever remembered. I learned a lot , and it helped me as a young man to learn the ranch life. What a wonderful man Bob was! Take care and enjoy your memories as I am. God Bless you all
~ Jim Ahart
Alcester, SD
Alcester, SD (3/17/2020)
We are thinking of all you folks during this difficult time. We so enjoyed visiting with Bob, he had such a good sense of humor. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson
Philip SD (3/16/2020)
Dear Neville family,
I am so sorry to hear about Bob's death. I have so many great memories of times spent on the ranch with the entire Neville family. Bob was such a gentle soul and cared deeply for all who came across his path. I especially remember the times that Molly and I spent together when we were younger either fishing or just discovering life on the ranch.
May you all feel God's love and comfort during this time. It is great as Christians to know that your dad is in Heaven with your mom. Although it is never easy to lose a parent, we can rest assured of God's great promise of life eternal in Heaven.
Love and sympathy!
~ Betsy Knodel
Freeman, SD (3/19/2020)
We are so sorry for your loss. We have very fond memories of Uncle Bob. We love you all and god bless!
~ Mike, Tamra, Kayley, and Shayna Neville
Rapid City (3/18/2020)
I'm thinking of all of you in your loss. Bob and Arlys were good friends and neighbors. Take care and God Bless all of you. Elaine
~ Elaine Staben
Bozeman, Mt (3/17/2020)
I have fond memories of when Chris and I taught at the Cheyenne/Hart Schools. I taught Randy and Chris had Molly. Bob and Arlys were such supporting parents and friends. Bob gave Randy and I a ride to Cheyenne School a couple of times during the wintery months. Sharing in your loss.
~ Teresa (Hunt) Palmer
Murdo (3/19/2020)
Neville Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad. He was special man and we always enjoyed visiting with him. Our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
Sturgis, SD (3/16/2020)
WY
~ Lynn & Audrey Merchen
Newcastle (3/20/2020)
So sorry to hear about your Dad. What a great guy! Miss the old days of Hart School. Keep your memories close till you meet again.
~ Rick and Nancy (Pekron) Ehrhardt
Brandon SD (3/17/2020)
Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart.
~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea
Howes, SD (3/17/2020)
sorry to hear of your loss
~ Fredrick Neville
Box Elder (3/16/2020)
Sorry to hear about Bob. My thoughts and prayers with the Neville family. I have many fond memories of going fishing with Bob.
~ Lynsy Brink
UNION CENTER (3/18/2020)
Kenny & Family, Wanted to let you All know that We have you in our Thoughts & Prayers. It is hard to lose your Parents; All of You stay close to one another for Support and above All else, Lean on Your Lord & Savior for his Comfort & Peace. Kathy & Jerry.
~ Jerry & Kathy S. Noteboom
Yuma, Az (3/16/2020)
Oh how I loved him and Arlys, and all of you kids. He was so much fun, such a big tease. I'm sorry I can't be there for the service, but know I will be thinking of you all, and send a hug.
~ Donna Bodkin Craven
Rapid city (3/17/2020)
Prayers to the families.
~ David and Karen Webb
Rapid City, SD (3/22/2020)
AZ
~ Rebecca Formanek
Prescott (3/17/2020)
I always loved to visit with Bob, he always had a story to tell and the one about Ann Crowser and Randy calling her Mrs. Trouser. Thinking about the family at this time.
~ Janice Rae Crowser
Philip & Corpus Christi Tx (3/19/2020)