By Tom Tatham ’56
Soon after pledging Beta Theta Pi in the fall of 1952,1 met Bob Neff ‘53. Bob was a senior in a class of many outstanding young men who quickly caught my attention and became mentors and role models to we underclassmen. Along with Bob Neff, in the class ’53 were Bill Met zel, Dick Eiken, Dick Davenport, Dick Eitzel, Russ Schanely, Don Jagger, Dick Day, Ted Chancy, Dave Dove, Stan Van Buren, Ed Lilly, Baker Smith and Dick McClintock. What a class!
Bob came to OWU following graduation from Dayton Fair view High School in 1949, a high school that produced many OWU Betas. including Norm Slenker ’51, the Graham brothers Jim ’51 and Ben ’52, the Boyle twins Dave ’55 and Doug ’55, Lou “Bugs” clemmer ‘51 Leigh Stock still ’58, Barry Haas ’59, Dave Crockett ’57, Jim Compton ’54 (my pardon to others from Fairview I may have omitted). His first years saw Bob learning the railroad schedule from Dayton to Delaware as his first car didn’t arrive until his senior year, after his dad was assured that he spent the proper amount of time on his studies.
Bob was a “late commitment to OWU; he had already enrolled and had even selected a roommate at Miami University in Oxford. However, with a little family pressure, he switched to OWU during the latter part of the summer and pleased three generations of the Stone family preceding him. The list of OWU grads from the Stones, his mother’s side of the Family, included his mother Dorothy, uncles Ray, Sidney and Charles and grandfather Emmett Stone.
Upon arriving at OWU, Bob was soon to pledge Beta after the “red carpet’ he received from the chapter in his first week of school. Bob was quick to note the “social” atmosphere pluses (along with the academic standards) that set the tone of being a Member of Theta Chapter.
During his four years at OWU, special memories include chapter singing (although Bob, along with Dave Dove were relegated to the back row with their out tune voices), intramural football (which we usually won after bitter struggles with the Phi Gams), fire drills during Hell Week, and never to be forgotten — Mama Linn. Mama Linn was special to all the brothers, and Bob recalled her gentle way of sending him as a freshman to interrupt the senior, who had their dates out of sight — an interruption that was always timely and protected the innocence of the chapter ! Bob walked Mama linn home after dinner, as did all freshman pledges — and the walk to her home was never viewed as an unwanted task, but as a pleasure — a chance to enjoy the few moments visit until we arrived at her door.
Other OWU fond recollections for Rob included freshman dinks, late night pledge summons, dormitory hours for women, required chapel, dorm raids (otherwise known as panty raids), spring fever day, initiation day with “black tie- attire, Monday chapter meetings (with required coat and tie), the “Eye of wooglin,” and singing — with regular practice! Also remembered, from Rob’s major field of study (business administration), were- such names as Van Kepker, Clark, Easton and Bob Meyer. “Vetville” was the name fondly given to the quonset huts and trailers that were located in the area east of the women’s dorms and the local hospital. These facilities housed many of the returning vets from WWII, many of whom were married. One of the brothers, Jerry Staley ’55 and his wife, lived there. The vets played hard, but they also studied hard,” said Bob,
Air Force ROTC was a big item on campus. Common Hour, the weekly marching drill, WaS held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. when almost 1,000 cadets marched on the old baseball diamond just east of Edwards Gym. ROTC was required for all it undeclassmen as the Korean conflict was underway and national security buildup was still on the minds of many. The draft was in effect, and if your number can up, you went. Bob received his commission in ’53 and trained in the skills of “material and supply.” Entering active duty as a second lieutenant in 1954, he spent most of his service time at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where he served as chief of inventory inspection for the Alaskan Air Force Depot. The Air Force was a great experience: “I can even remember my service number,” said Bob.
After his discharge. in 1956, Bob returned to Dayton where he worked in his father’s business, the Gebhart Folding Box Company. Following the sale of Gebhart Folding Box company, Bob and his father (Robert Carl Neff ) started a new business the Neff Folding Box Company, in 1959. Bob became its president in 1971 and was soon to be joined by both of his sons. With his sons assuming more of the business responsibilities, Bob has been planning his retirement as Chairman of the Board in the year 2001.
One of the many outstanding characteristics of Bob Neff has been his devotion to his community. A major portion of his life ( and of his father’s) has been his service to the local YMCA where he served as president of the board, is a “Life Member” of the board and has provided leadership to many capital and program improvements. The downtown Dayton YMCA today is one of the showpieces of the city.
Other boards that Bob has served include the Dayton Foundation, Goodwill, Planned Parenthood, Sinclair Community College and the Miami Valley Hospital, He also was active in county Republican Party and assisted its leadership in many campaigns for more than 20 years, He has also served as a director. on several business boards,
Bob says his greatest satisfaction has come from his association with the Dayton YMCA, the Sinclair Community College and the Miami Valley Hospital.
Bob’s hobbies consist of a lot of active community work, skiing at his home in Colorado, fishing at Spring Run Lake (near Dayton), some golf and a lot of travel, having recently returned from visits to Alaska. Hawaii and with a planned trip to Europe soon.
From his first marriage to Margaret Jones ’54, Bob has four children: Sally, Bob, John and Jane, plus three grandchildren. He is currently married to Peggy Welford, with whom he has a stepdaughter, Tracey. Bob and Peggy live at 4466 Blairgowrie Circle, Dayton, OH 45429, (937) 298-3630,
Bob Neff represents what is great about Beta . While he served his chapter very well in his undergraduate days but his greatest contributions came after graduation when he became House Corporation President during the mid-’60s. It was a time when there was much transition toward the current relationship with OWU, including the turning over of the property and the development of a new contract relationship with OWU with regard to the management of the property and the operation of a local fraternity chapter, He has continued throughout his life to be a loyal contributor and supporter of Beta and Theta Chapter.
Bob Neff is another one of many brothers who make the call “Thank God I’m a Beta” so meaningful and so, here’s to Bob from all of us — ‘thank God you’re Beta.”
Speak Your Mind