Major Robert Neal Smith

Robert Neal Smith, age 94, died peacefully in Sun Prairie at New Perspective Senior Living on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Robert was born on June 10, 1928, in Milwaukee, WI, the oldest son of Herbert Higbee Smith and the former Erma Bullerjahn.

Bob was a member of the Madison West HS Class of ’46 where he played tuba in the marching band. He attended UW-Madison, receiving a BS in Journalism in 1951 and a MS in Political Science in 1953. After completing Air Force ROTC, Bob served on active duty in Europe for two years and then in the Air Force Reserves for the next 20 years where he attained the rank of Major.

In 1955, Bob married Martha Bucy in Lubbock, TX. They divorced in 1968. They had three children: Dan Bucy Smith, Laura Lorainne Smith, and Ralph Neal Smith.  Bob married Rita Duren on December 2, 1972, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. Rita brought her children Kathy, Marie, Anita and Dan to the Duren-Smith family. 

Bob was a member of the First Unitarian Society, the Madison Masonic Temple and the Cazenovia American Legion Post 491. He was active in the Wisconsin Democratic Party for many years, serving as Richland County Chair.

Bob worked tirelessly for over 50 years at various state and local agencies including the Forest Products Lab, the Wisconsin State Chamber of Commerce, the City of Milwaukee, the WI Department of Resource Development, and the Wisconsin Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).  In Milwaukee, serving under Mayor Henry Maier, Bob served on the team that created Milwaukee Summerfest. At OEO, he was instrumental in establishing and managing the Wisconsin Community Action Program (CAP) as part of LBJ’s War on Poverty. After retiring from State civil service in 1992, Bob was proud to serve on various commissions in Richland County. He also represented Richland County on the Southwest Regional Planning Commission for two six-year terms and then served  on the board of Eagle Country Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

Bob was active in the civil rights movement for years.  While with the OEO, he brought the late civil rights activist Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer to Wisconsin for a CAP conference. He served as the first treasurer for the non-profit “Measure for Measure” to help the Hamer’s with anti-poverty measures and the establishment of the Freedom Farm Cooperative in Ruleville, MS with the help of many Wisconsinites.

The outdoors was an important part of Bob’s life. Hunting, fishing, camping (especially trips in the motorhome) and farming (including his beloved longhorn cattle) were among his favorite activities. He was also an avid card player and especially enjoyed playing Sheepshead with family and the men’s group at Ridgeview in Reedsburg.  Friday mornings meant meeting with “The Philosophers.” Everyone enjoyed his humor and stories – especially the many tales of his past exploits. Bob resumed his tuba playing after Herb Rockweiler persuaded him to join the Cazenovia German Band.  A favorite pastime included dancing with Rita.

Bob is survived by his wife Rita, sons Dan (Shawn) and Ralph, daughter Laura, stepchildren Kathy Helland (Gil), Marie Meissner (Len), Anita Berigan (Pat), Dan Duren (Sandy), 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Carole Smith, two nephews and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Colonel Dan R Smith of Arizona, his ex-wife Martha and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A very special thank you to Dr Benjamin Nesseim, RAMC, the New Perspective caregiver team, Bristol Hospice, Dan Farber and the Farber Funeral Home.

To Bob, family was extremely important. He will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Funeral services will be on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 12:00 noon at the Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, with Daniel Farber officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will be held at 3:15 p.m. in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Cazenovia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, the Salvation Army or American Legion Post 491.

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