LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – “Rob Neal” was born March 22, 1948, in Lakeport, Calif., and died May 6, 2014, at the age of 66 in Clearlake, Calif.

He was the son of Charles E. Neal and Virginia M. (Hook) Neal, and a fifth generation Kelseyville farming family member descending from the Merritt family of Kelseyville.

He was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout under the direction of his uncle Don Hook.

Rob attended Kelseyville schools and graduated in 1966 before attending Santa Rosa Junior College. He enlisted in the Army and did a tour of Vietnam where he was twice wounded and received the Bronze Star.

He loved Lake County and enjoyed fishing and hunting as a boy with friends and family. He always loved the area and only spent a small amount of time away from Big Valley.

He married Susan Thalgot of Idaho and is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth M. Krupka, and son-in-law Clint Krupka, and two granddaughters, Catherine and Emily currently of Las Vegas.

He also is survived by his sister Kathy Neal and her partner Pat Griffin of Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Rob had several first cousins in Kelseyville who were also close growing up and in the Kelseyville schools at the same time. They are Connie (Hook) Burnes, Jerry and Karen Hook, Ken and Pam Hook, John and Molly Deacon, Clyde and Jane Deacon, and Anne (Deacon) and Mark Munsey.

Other first cousins are Katherine “Kitty” (Neal) Dunlop of Georgia, Clayton Neal of Virginia, Steven Neal of Colorado and Daniel Neal of Morgan Hill.

His last days before finding peace from cancer and addictions were spent at Meadowood Nursing Home in Clearlake where he was given excellent care both physically and emotionally. The family thanks the caregivers.

There will be no memorial service. Anyone wishing to give can donate to Hospice Services of Lake County.