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Robert Arthur Neumann (“Bob”), 66, died April 28, 2015, at the Eckstein Center Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a brief battle with cancer.
He was born June 24, 1948, in Fergus Falls to parents Amy Neumann and Kenneth Neumann where he graduated high school. He attended the University of North Dakota, where he studied accounting and was a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program. In 1970, he married Lana Spranger and became an officer in the U.S. Army. Bob furthered his education by receiving an MBA from St. Johns University in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. He served his country honorably in the Ordnance Corps, retiring from the service in 1990 having attained the rank of major. He was Airborne-certified and earned the Expert Rifle Badge M-16, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
During his years of active duty military service, Bob moved many times and was stationed in Alaska, New York City and Germany. His daughter, Allison, was born in 1975 in New York City and son, Trevor, was born in 1978 while stationed in Germany. He then joined the Army Reserves and the private sector where he became a Financial Executive for a variety of companies.
During his business career, he was active in his children’s sporting events, namely the high school ski team where he would bring food and support the whole team every Saturday in the winter months. Upon retirement in 2008, Bob fulfilled his wanderlust by purchasing an RV and a motorcycle. For three years he crisscrossed the country visiting family, friends, and seeking out the beauty of this country. In 2010, after heart surgery, he settled in one locale per year while still motorcycling and traveling extensively. He briefly lived in Sandestin, Florida, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Hickory, North Carolina. Once his illness became acute, he lived with his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Debbie, in Scottsdale, where he sought treatment.
Bob is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Neumann, on Jan. 8, 2014, and mother, Amy Neumann, on Dec.13, 2003.
Bob is survived by his beloved children, Trevor Neumann of New York City and Allison Neumann of La Jolla, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Debbie Neumann of Scottsdale; cousins Paul Neumann and wife, Suzy Neumann, Lisa (Neumann) Simmons; and first cousins (once removed), Jean Blondeau and Marcia Kraut.
The family requests those in attendance dress in casual summer attire, and, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bob’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org, an organization that Bob proudly supported.
Memorial service: 10:30 a.m. Aug.15 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with visitation one hour prior to services.
Celebrant: Andrew Yaggie
Military honors: Minnesota National Guard
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Online guestbook and video tribute: www.GlendeNilson.com
