Robert “Bo” Neal May 8, 1951 - November 7, 2022

Robert “Bo” Neal passed away surrounded by family and close friends at St. Charles on Monday, November 7.

Born May 8, 1951, in Silverton, Oregon, Bo was raised in the country around Stayton and Scio, part of a large extended family. He graduated from Regis High in Stayton and received a baseball scholarship to Treasure Valley Community College. Following that, he attended University of Oregon, again on a baseball scholarship, where he was a catcher. Graduating in 1973, he went on to play for the Portland Mavericks, then the Dodgers organization in Bakersfield, California. A bad knee ended his baseball career.

He married college sweetheart Jill Haney, and went to work for Columbia Helicopter, then moved on to Simpson Timber Company before embarking on a successful career as a general contractor in the Olympia, Washington area. He built everything from waterfront homes to medical clinics to recording studios, and enjoyed the various challenges.

Eventually moving to Central Oregon, he continued his contracting. When the economic downturn struck, he and his brother Jim got a falling contract for the U.S. Forest Service, and spent several years on the forest fires as cutters.

Later, his “kind-of retirement” was doing a few remodels and cutting trees on Black Butte Ranch.

Besides being a character, he was always ready to help anyone in need — pulling people’s cars out of ditches, snowplowing driveways, jump-starting cars, and any small chores needed. Sometimes people would “pay” by leaving beer or cookies on the doorstep. He loved that.

Hunting, fishing, and the outdoors were his passions, as well as playing with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jill; children John Neal and wife, Ashley, of Sisters, Christy Montermini of Olympia, Brian Neal of Henry Island (San Juans); as well as grandchildren Leo, Abram, Will, and Emerson Montermini, and Henry, Gwen, and Tristan Neal.

We will miss him terribly, but he left a legacy of love, and we know that Heaven has received a very special person.

Funeral mass will be held at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church on Friday, November 25, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Food for the Poor in his name.