Cal Poly Athletics Mourns the Loss of Hall of Famer Bob Neal
9/8/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Bob Neal, a member of the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame and a quarterback on the Mustangs' undefeated 1953 football team that went 9-0 under head coach Roy Hughes, passed away on August 12, 2026, in San Luis Obispo at the age of 93.
Neal passed for 406 yards and five touchdowns for a run-oriented Mustang football team that outscored its nine opponents 395-65. A year earlier, Neal passed for 632 yards and eight touchdowns and he completed his Mustang career in 1954 with 469 passing yards and four scores.
In his three-year varsity career, Neal completed 84 of 215 passes for 1,477 yards and 17 touchdowns. Neal was named to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association team and the United Press International all-star team during his junior campaign in 1953.
Cal Poly was 27-11-1 with Neal at quarterback. Neal also competed on the Mustangs' baseball and boxing teams.
Robert (Bob) Elvis Neal was born on April 14, 1933, in Skiatook, Oklahoma, and earned a scholarship to play football at Cal Poly after a stellar prep career. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in animal science.
After working for E.C. Loomis & Sons, Bob and his wife of 73 years, Mary Hanson, opened their own insurance agency in 1961. In 1965, he co-founded Neal-Truesdale Insurance, Inc. with Calvin Truesdale, who remained a lifelong friend.
Bob spent 40 years with Neal-Truesdale Insurance before purchasing a cow and calf ranch. He spent most of his retirement years on his ranch and competed in rodeos.
Bob also was one of the most active members of the community. He was past president of a variety of organizations, including the American Cancer Society, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the Mustang Boosters. He was awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1969.
Bob also served as president of the Lions Club, Caballeros de San Luis Obispo, and the Robert Janssen Foundation. He was also a member of the SLO Riders and several other organizations, while serving on the board of the Cal Poly Foundation. An adventurous spirit, Bob was an instrument-rated pilot and an avid hunter who once hunted a bear from a snowmobile in Russia at age 80.
Over seven decades on the Central Coast, Bob built a successful business, raised a family, served his community, remained connected to the university where he had once been a standout athlete, and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his children, Jim, Mary Lynn, and Jack Neal; and his grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Cameron, Nikki Clarot, Phillip Neal, and Jacqueline Bergquist, all of whom he played a significant role in raising. Bob is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Bob always said that the best thing that ever happened to him was marrying his high school sweetheart.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Perozzi Barn, located at 4400 Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the American Cancer Society.
Neal passed for 406 yards and five touchdowns for a run-oriented Mustang football team that outscored its nine opponents 395-65. A year earlier, Neal passed for 632 yards and eight touchdowns and he completed his Mustang career in 1954 with 469 passing yards and four scores.
In his three-year varsity career, Neal completed 84 of 215 passes for 1,477 yards and 17 touchdowns. Neal was named to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association team and the United Press International all-star team during his junior campaign in 1953.
Cal Poly was 27-11-1 with Neal at quarterback. Neal also competed on the Mustangs' baseball and boxing teams.
Robert (Bob) Elvis Neal was born on April 14, 1933, in Skiatook, Oklahoma, and earned a scholarship to play football at Cal Poly after a stellar prep career. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in animal science.
After working for E.C. Loomis & Sons, Bob and his wife of 73 years, Mary Hanson, opened their own insurance agency in 1961. In 1965, he co-founded Neal-Truesdale Insurance, Inc. with Calvin Truesdale, who remained a lifelong friend.
Bob spent 40 years with Neal-Truesdale Insurance before purchasing a cow and calf ranch. He spent most of his retirement years on his ranch and competed in rodeos.
Bob also was one of the most active members of the community. He was past president of a variety of organizations, including the American Cancer Society, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the Mustang Boosters. He was awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1969.
Bob also served as president of the Lions Club, Caballeros de San Luis Obispo, and the Robert Janssen Foundation. He was also a member of the SLO Riders and several other organizations, while serving on the board of the Cal Poly Foundation. An adventurous spirit, Bob was an instrument-rated pilot and an avid hunter who once hunted a bear from a snowmobile in Russia at age 80.
Over seven decades on the Central Coast, Bob built a successful business, raised a family, served his community, remained connected to the university where he had once been a standout athlete, and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his children, Jim, Mary Lynn, and Jack Neal; and his grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Cameron, Nikki Clarot, Phillip Neal, and Jacqueline Bergquist, all of whom he played a significant role in raising. Bob is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Bob always said that the best thing that ever happened to him was marrying his high school sweetheart.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Perozzi Barn, located at 4400 Orcutt Road in San Luis Obispo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the American Cancer Society.
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06
