By: Saunders H.R. No. 72 73R2737 PFG-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Allen Neely recently retired from his 1-2 successful ophthalmology practice, drawing to a close 41 years of 1-3 dedicated service to the citizens of Bellville; and 1-4 WHEREAS, "Dr. Bob," as he is known in the Bellville 1-5 community, was born on March 1, 1921, to Almeida Brookfield 1-6 Fordtran and Dr. Jubal Neely, who had established a thriving 1-7 medical practice in Bellville in 1916; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Young Robert was soon joined by a brother, Winston 1-9 Brookfield Neely, and, when not engaged in mischief, the two boys 1-10 enjoyed accompanying their father while he made his medical rounds; 1-11 taking their father's cue, both boys eventually became doctors 1-12 themselves, and Dr. Robert Neely was subsequently referred to as 1-13 "Dr. Bob" by the town's residents to distinguish him from his 1-14 equally accomplished brother; and 1-15 WHEREAS, "Dr. Bob" served his country with distinction as a 1-16 senior medical officer in the Navy in both World War II and the 1-17 Korean conflict and gained recognition as an exceptionally devoted 1-18 and unselfish officer who often sacrificed personal time to attend 1-19 to the medical needs of personnel; and 1-20 WHEREAS, In 1944, "Dr. Bob" married Eleanor Stein and the 1-21 couple enjoyed a happy and rewarding life together that was blessed 1-22 with twin boys, Byron and Warren, who, carrying on the Neely family 1-23 tradition, have pursued careers in medicine; although saddened by 1-24 the subsequent passing of Mrs. Neely, the close-knit family has 2-1 grown to include daughters-in-law, Lynn and Kim, and grandchildren 2-2 Melina, Robert Joseph, Chad, and Caroline; and 2-3 WHEREAS, "Dr. Bob" opened his general medicine practice in 2-4 Bellville in 1946, embarking on a highly successful four-decade 2-5 career as a medical practitioner and, in 1951, began his highly 2-6 regarded ophthalmology practice that was recently joined by Dr. Guy 2-7 Knolle; and 2-8 WHEREAS, In August 1990, "Dr. Bob" observed an especially 2-9 happy milestone with his marriage to Joy Brown and the addition of 2-10 her children, Richard Dean and Bette, son-in-law, Michael, and 2-11 grandchildren, Toby, Zac, and Sam to his beloved family; the 2-12 couple's many plans for retirement include travel, orchid 2-13 cultivation, and time together enjoying their pastime of golf; and 2-14 WHEREAS, A member of numerous professional organizations, 2-15 "Dr. Bob" intends to remain active in the community as chairman of 2-16 the board of directors of the Bellville First National Bank, 2-17 president of the Mid-Tex Nursing Homes, a life member of the 2-18 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and as a member of St. John Lutheran 2-19 Church of Bellville, where he has also served as church council 2-20 president; and 2-21 WHEREAS, A member and leader in the Boy Scouts of America 2-22 since age 12, he is especially proud of the Silver Beaver Award, 2-23 the organization's highest award for adults, that he received for 2-24 his distinguished service; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Throughout his outstanding career, this remarkable 2-26 man has dedicated his life to helping others through the skillful 2-27 practice of medicine, greatly benefiting his community and our 3-1 state; renowned for his professionalism, modesty, and good humor, 3-2 "Dr. Bob" has earned a lasting place in the hearts of all those who 3-3 have come to know him; now, therefore, be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-5 Legislature hereby honor Dr. Robert Allen Neely for his outstanding 3-6 contributions to the health and well-being of his community and 3-7 extend best wishes to him for a happy and rewarding retirement; 3-8 and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-10 prepared for him as an expression of high regard from the Texas 3-11 House of Representatives.