Robert "Pepper" Neal

Bob "Pepper" Neal, age 89, Watertown, SD, died Thursday, July 9, 2020, at his home with family by his side.

Private family services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Furness Funeral Home Chapel in Clark with strict CDC social distancing measures in place. Masks or face coverings are highly recommended in the building . Pastor Fawn Lamb will be officiating with music provided by The Reverend John Lantsberger. Members of the family will serve as casket bearers. Burial with full military honors provided by the Cagely-Smith Post #60 Clark and the United States Navy Honor Guard will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Robert (Pepper) Arnold Neal was born December 31, 1930, in Bradley, SD, to Dora (Miller) and Chet Neal. The family moved to Clark in 1944. Bob graduated from Clark High School in 1951, excelling in all sports. Baseball was his favorite from a very young age, always playing third base. Bob's father, Chet, and Sam Elrod, son of the fifth governor of SD, formed the Cagley-Smith Post #60 American Legion Baseball Club in Clark in 1945. Both Bob and his brother, Cale, played for the team. Transportation to out-of-town games was Chet's two-ton stock truck. Bob achieved a consistently high batting and fielding average. He was a tough competitor; always playing to win. One year at the State Amateur Tournament in Aberdeen, Bob was invited to try out with the Baltimore Oriole Farm Club. He did not accept the offer, as he decided to join the US Navy. He served in the Navy from 1951-1955 followed by 4 years in the Reserve. He achieved the rank Quartermaster 3 ^rd Class in Navigation and Communication. He received a United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Baseball came back to Bob during his time in the Navy. He tried out and was awarded a starting position for the Ninth Naval District Baseball Team. Early in his baseball career, Bob was nicknamed "Pepper" by fans, as he was an excellent base stealer like player, Pepper Martin. The nickname stuck with him throughout his life. After his time in the Navy, Bob and his father operated a joint family cattle operation. They also operated a successful home construction and remodeling business. When Chet retired, Bob Neal Construction continued until 1990. Following that, he managed the Garden Grove Apartments in Clark until he retired.

Bob married Margaret Anderson on May 12, 1961, in Watertown. He built the family home in rural Clark in 1963 where they lived until moving to Watertown in 2015. Bob continued to enjoy working with his gifted hands even after he retired from construction and created many projects with great pride that his family treasures. Many happy hours were spent riding his beloved John Deere mower. After a hot day in the sun, he would enjoy a cold Pepsi and admire the wildlife that inhabited his picture perfect lawn. Bob was a member of the Clark American Legion and the Clark United Methodist Church.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Margaret; daughter Robin and husband Tom Branhan of Mankato, MN; daughter Terri and husband Joe Bjerke of Watertown; granddaughter Alyson and husband Ryan Pattee of West Fargo, ND; granddaughter Bailey and husband Nate Cole of St. Louis Park, MN; grandson Garrett Branhan and fiancée Macy Lohmann of Mankato, MN; granddaughter Molly Branhan and fiancé Corey Kleinow of Lake Crystal, MN; great-grandchildren Gage Branhan and soon-to-be baby brother Ryker (arriving in August) and Parker Kleinow; sister Barbara and husband LaVern Peterson; sister Jeanette Seefeldt; brother-in-law Gordon Warne; and sisters-in-law Karen Neal and Joyce Anderson.

Preceeding him in death were his parents Chet and Dora Neal; in-laws Clarence and Mabel Anderson; brothers Richard, Donald, and Cale Neal; sister Alice Warne; sisters-in-law Alice Neal and Ethel Neal; and brothers-in-law Dennis Hofer, Stanley Seefeldt, and Jim Anderson.

Services are complete with the Furness Funeral Home where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com