Santa Clara County CA Archives Obituaries.....Royer, Neal  August 1, 2001
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Claire Martin haircut1@aol.com January 15, 2007, 3:08 am

Campbell Reporter, August 22, 2001
Neal Royer, 84, died Aug. 1 after a battle with melanoma. Royer's wife Dixie,
81, was by his side at their home in Santa Barbara. Royer worked in the Campbell
Union School District for 23 years as a teacher, assistant superintendent and
superintendent. He was a principal at Rosemary Elementary School on Hamilton
Avenue.

Royer was born Aug. 17, 1916, and was raised in Decatur, Ala., and was the first
in his family to graduate from both high school and college. He went to
Jacksonville State Teachers College and earned his teaching credential at San
Jose State University. He also received a master's degree in school
administration from Stanford University.

Royer served in the U.S. Army in World War II, serving as a bomb disposal
officer and eventually retired as a colonel in the Army Reserve. Royer met his
future wife, Dixie, at the San Francisco Airport in 1943, and they remained in
contact while he was abroad during the war. They married in 1945 at the chapel
in Yosemite Valley.

Royer was also involved in local politics, serving as the president of the
Campbell Chamber of Commerce. The chamber named him citizen of the year for
Campbell in 1971. He moved from Campbell to San Luis Obispo County in 1971 to
work for the Atascadero School District. He was elected for three terms to the
California Senior Legislature. He also established a consumer newspaper, the
Watchdog, in San Luis Obispo County, which was delivered to residents of San
Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.

The Royers moved to Santa Barbara in 1999.

"My father was a very hard working man, who was dedicated to his jobs, his
family, his community and his country," said his son Jim Royer, an attorney in
San Luis Obispo.

"First, as an educator, he headed the local Campbell elementary school district
in some of its most formative years-ones of explosive growth and change in the
'60s. He still found time to be active in the Rotary Club, the Chamber of
Commerce, and other community groups."

Despite his busy schedule, friends and family said Royer found time for his
family and supported his children's' academic and athletic activities. "I
remember him taking time out to attend my high school basketball games and track
meets. He helped all of his children through college and was patient and
supportive of us his entire life," Jim said.

After he left Campbell, he wound down his educational career and became involved
in consumer rights and senior rights. He wrote numerous related columns in at
least four newspapers and helped hundreds of seniors and other consumers. "He
was a tireless advocate for citizens against corrupt politicians, crooked
businessmen and unresponsive bureaucrats," his son Jim continued.

His death was only after a long fight with metastatic melanoma, which was in
remission for several years until just recently. Even in his retirement in Santa
Barbara, in his 80s, he began a consumer action line column in a local paper.
"He was a fighter till the end--fighting for what he felt was right for himself
and for many others," his son added.

Royer was superintendent of the Campbell Unified School District from 1965 to
1973. Prior to that he served for nine years as an assistant superintendent and
for eight years as a teacher and principal for the same district.

He was active in the U.S. Army Reserve and the California National Guard. He
served as a battalion commander and earned many honors including the ETO ribbon
with three battle stars including the Battle of Normandy, northern France and
central Europe and a bronze star medal for operations in Europe.

Royer is survived by his wife Dixie, their sons: Allen Royer, a teacher in San
Jose; Jim Royer, an attorney in San Luis Obispo; and Bob Royer, an
emergency-room physician in Roseville; as well as five grandchildren.

Additional Comments:
Note: I am not related to this individual and have no additional information.

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