'Brother Bob' leaves legacy of Lipscomb involvement

With the passing of Robert Gill Neil Sr., age 96, May 17, the Lipscomb community has lost a good friend.

"Brother Bob," as he was affectionately known by generations of Lipscomb alumni and employees, devoted much of his life in service to Lipscomb. Neil entered ninth grade at Lipscomb, finished high school there in only three and a half years and entered David Lipscomb College, then a two-year institution.

As a student at the college from 1927-29, Mr. Neil sang his way through school. He was a tenor in the Lipscomb quartet and traveled for the school, receiving a scholarship from President H. Leo Boles in return. In addition, Neil also demonstrated excellence in athletics as a member of the basketball and baseball teams.

Mr. Neil was a student at Lipscomb when tragic fires struck two dormitories, and most of his memorabilia from those years was destroyed. Neil completed his degree at Harding University and taught there a year before returning to Lipscomb to teach, coach the high school and college basketball and baseball teams, and lead chapel singing. He was instrumental in broadcasting chapel services nationwide via CBS network stations. He taught at Lipscomb from 1933 until 1943.

Mr. Neil’s professional career was spent in education. He entered the field of public education as principal of Nashville’s Clemmons School and became principal at East High School before moving to the school system’s central office. He was appointed supervisor of all the elementary schools in the pre-metro city of Nashville. He retired in 1975 and focused his work on his first love -- the church – and then on Lipscomb.

Mr. Neil may be best known on campus as the creator of the Golden Circle Reunion and leading a new era of alumni involvement. In 1987, Neal was named Lipscomb’s "Alumnus of the Year" and in 1988 was inducted into Lipscomb’s Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1999, Neil was also named a Lipscomb Legend. A deeply spiritual man of integrity, character, and enthusiasm, he truly is Lipscomb’s "grand old alumnus."

"Brother Bob loved Lipscomb and he loved the church and he loved people. He was a great role model for me and for everyone who knew him. He truly was a great man of faith and a man of prayer who lived in anticipation of the Lord’s return. I had the priceless privilege for working with him for nearly 20 years at the Antioch Church of Christ. He also made an impact on a number of churches throughout the country as well. Then, he began the Golden Circle at Lipscomb and I got to work with him at Lipscomb. Under his leadership, the Golden Circle was extremely successful," said Walt Leaver, vice president for university relations.

Mr. Neil was also played a vital role in the administration of President Willard Collins.

"Robert Neil had convictions and would not compromise them. People loved him and he loved people. I think he truly had the spirit of the Lipscomb founders and I appreciate what he meant in building Lipscomb University," said Willard Collins, president of Lipscomb from 1977-1986.

Working with alumni was something Mr. Neil enjoyed.

"When Brother Collins began his initiative to broaden the involvement of Lipscomb alumni with their alma mater, he turned to brother Bob Neil. Brother Bob had a vital role in, and deep respect for, the history of this institution. His nearly-photographic memory served him well as he and Brother Collins drew alumni into new events and relationships with the school. He will always be remembered for starting the Golden Circle, but he was equally at home and influential with generations of alumni," said G. David England, associate vice president for development.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Martha and Bob Neil Fine Arts Scholarship at Lipscomb University or to Beersheba Springs Church of Christ, Beersheba, TN 37305. Funeral services were held May 19 at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ with Walt Leaver, Clarence Dailey, Jim Bill McInteer, Jim Turner and Mack Craig officiating.