Obituary: Robert K. Neely

Robert K. Neely “Bob”, a lifelong resident of Springfield, passed away on May 4, 2012 at Delaware County Memorial Hospital after a long 10-year battle with kidney cancer; he had just turned 73.

He was the son of William H. Neely and Marguerite M. (King) of Springfield and Riverside, NJ. He graduated from in 1957.

Bob was best known as a salesman who worked at Dick Barone Chevrolet and Rothrock Chevrolet on Baltimore Pike for a combined 55 years. Bob started at Dick Barone Chevrolet when he was just out of high school and worked his way up the ladder from auto mechanic and into sales and became the sales manager where he spent the bulk of his time and made many friends in the community. When Barone Chevrolet was sold and became Rothrock Chevrolet, he continued in management and then retired in September of 2009 due to complications from his battle with cancer.

He was a man of honesty and integrity and was loved by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara (Levis), and his two children, Scott of Springfield and Kim Smith (Steve and daughter Emily) of Jamison City, and his brother Richard (Sharon) of Maple Shade, NJ.

Bob was probably the longest survivor of kidney cancer in Delaware County. He was a fighter and never gave up even when it looked like it was the end. Over the years many doctors have said that he had nine lives since he had so many health problems due to not only the cancer, but the effects of the cancer drugs he was taking. He was still able to walk out of the hospital on his own. After ten years of a grueling emotional and physical fight that started in 2002, his body was exhausted and finally succumbed… but not his mind. His spirit lives on. His use of experimental cancer drugs and their results on his body over the past decade will be a massive help to future patients everywhere.

Memorial services and interment will be private at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Robert K. Neely’s memory may be sent to Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Donations to Delaware County Memorial Hospital can be made by phone at 610-284-8782 (Delco Memorial Foundation) or donate online at http://www.crozerkeystone.org/donation/ or mailed to: Delco Memorial Foundation, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, 501 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, Pa 19026-1186. (Please make checks payable to Delco Memorial Foundation.)