Robert Bob Lee Neff Sr.

Robert Lee Neff, Sr. (Bob) (Bop) passed away peacefully at his home on March 22 surrounded by his family. He was born on June 1, 1931. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was baptized in 1939. Bob was a true patriot. He always said the three important things are God, family, and country. He served our country as an instructor in the Signal Corp of the United States Army in Augusta Georgia. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1949. He received his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee where he was also on the Track Team. He furthered his education at UT with a 45 hours of Administration and Supervision Studies. Bob was a teacher and coach at South High School where he was voted the Teacher of the Year of the Knoxville City Schools in 1965. He coached football, basketball, track, and cross country at South High School then became Assistant Principal at South High School and South Young High School. The honor society at South Young High School honored him by naming their chapter the “Robert Lee Neff Chapter” of the National Honor Society. He received many honors throughout his life. He was inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, Knoxville Track Club Hall of Fame, and in 1996 was selected the number one track official in the state of Tennessee by the United States Track and Field Association. Bob holds the title Emeritus Official with the United States Track and Field Association which is a title very few officials attain. He was one of the founders of the Knoxville Track Club. He received the Distinguished Service Award by the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Other awards Bob received are: Volunteer Track Classic Outstanding Service Award, Sam Venable, Sr. Award for Outstanding Service for Track and Field, Special Award by University of Tennessee Coaches for work with the Dogwood Relays in 1992, the Robert L. Neff Service Award which is a perpetual award given to the Outstanding Track Official of the Year and Founders Award for work with Volunteer Track Classic presented in 1996. Bob had a smile that was beyond compare. He touched many lives in his 83 plus years – always a gentleman. Preceded in death by his father and mother, Herbert and Wanda Neff, and brother Herby Neff. Survived by Elizabeth Edmonds Neff (Bibby) his loving wife, best friend, and loyal supporter for 60 years; children, Robert Lee Neff, Jr. (Bobby); daughters, Jayne Neff Gipson and husband John, and Patti Neff Gray, of Jackson, TN. He is also survived by the grandchildren he adored, Tyler Neff and wife Kristi, Jenna Gitschlag and husband Steve, Burt Gipson and wife Tatiana, Allie Gipson Conway and husband Will, Nick Gipson, Tate Gray and Kyndal Gray; great grandchildren, Greer Gitschlag, Sydney Burleson and Rece Burleson; special brother in law and sister in law, Richard and Jackie Edmonds and his best walking canine friend, Bailey. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 26, from 4:30 – 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN with the funeral service celebrating Bob’s life to follow at 7 pm. Dr. Tom Ogburn will be officiating. Family and friends will meet Friday, March 27 at Woodlawn Cemetery for an 11:00 am interment service. Full military honors by East Tennessee State Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter , 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919; First Baptist Church , 510 W. Main St, Knoxville, TN 37902 or the charity of your choice.