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Dear classmates: it is with sadness that I inform you of the passing of classmate Bob, Neylan. His wife informed Anne (Cunningham) Grycz of his death several days ago in a note from Bob's wife, Ruthie. Bob peacefully passed away Friday, February 25 after a long illness. A memorial mass was celebrated March 7 in Ohio, where they had been living for some time. Bob was buried with honors at Ohio national Cemetery. Bob was indeed a hero receiving a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and numerous other decorations. He retired as a colonel in the United States Army. I was very sorry to learn of his passing because I do remember him as a classmate at Saint Anselms and Marin Catholic. During those early years we were close friends and we worked on numerous school projects together. Bob was was always the brains of the project and I was the builder!
Whenever I place another name in our IN MEMORY section, it really makes me realize how life is so very short and time passes so so quickly.
Please remember Bob in your thoughts and prayers. Antone
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Joan Moran
I received Antone's notification that Bob Neilan died. It brought back memories. We all used to call him Bobby. He was that kind of solid kid that you could always depend on. He was smart with clear eyes with a military career that attests to the qualities that encouraged loyalty and honesty. It seems he lived a good life and I am deeply proud to have known him. May he rest in peace.
Joan Moran
Beth Mellin (Pawlick)
I have fond memories of Bobby at St Anselms as well as Marin Catholic and USF.. He was a serious student and a very nice, kind person. What a noble life he led. Condolences to his family. Thank you , Antone, for all you do to keep us informed.
Carol Finn (Street)
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was a sweet and wonderful person at both St. Anselm's and Marin Catholic.
Thank you for letting us know.
Carol Ann
Carole Curtin (Lang)
RIP Robert............you will be missed by us all. San Rafael Miltary Academy is how I remember you most. Didn't get to know you until Facebook and glad we were friends. Carole
David Fitzharris
It's always sad to hear of the passing of a friend. Bob's loss hit me harder than most. I didn't know him before high school, but he grew to a close friend at Marin. He always seemed to be wiser than the rest of us ... although not wise enough to opt out of our infamous "Key Caper". If you don't recall this series of episodes, check it out in the "Tribal Tales" section of the website. His involvement -- and the respect he had with the faculty -- was probably one of the reasons our lame excuse was believed and why we got off with a mild repremand.
Bob had a quiet, wry sense of humor that I enjoyed many times after we reconnected at the 50-year anniversary in 2011. We stopped communicating a few years ago, and I didn't realize he was sick.
I remember visiting him at his home in Sleepy Hollow after he returned from Vietnam to recover from being shot on his first deployment. When we talked, he had a haunted look in his eyes. I mentioned that to him at the reunion and he said he was upset he was sent home and wanted to return as soon as he could. He did, prospered in the military and eventually reached the rank of Full Colonel. And, after retirement, he continued to consult for the Army all over the world.
You did well, Bob. We'll miss you.
Dave
Edward O'Connell (O'Connellinin)
Didn't know him all that well, but he must have been a helluva guy if all you folks praise him that much. // Figure the comments about me when I croak will all look like: Good riddance. // Anyway, the upside is he did good things, added value to this 'ol world, has something of a legacy, and lived a long and productive life ... Earthwalk "stuff" that always makes me jealous. // RIP Robert, or better yet, if there is some kind of afterlife, have a helluva good time.
Colleen Handley (Conley)
My heart and thoughts go out to his lovely wife. I will remember him in prayers and thoughts !