OBIT: Robert M. McNEAL, 1918, Dauphin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JudyBoo Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/ _________________________________________ DR. R. M. M'NEAL DIES SUDDENLY Dr. Robert M. McNeal, Deputy Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction, and former superintendent of the Dauphin County public schools, died suddenly today at State College where he had been conducting examinations for teachers' certificates for several days. Dr. McNeal, who resided with his wife at 201 State street, left here Wednesday in perfect health and this morning when he arose he apparently was feeling well. After breakfast he walked to the college building where the examinations are under way and while going up the steps at 8:30 o'clock was overcome with apoplexy. He sank to the ground and died at once. He was 70 years old in June. Shortly after March 15, the day that Colonel Archibald D. Glenn, who had been Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for years, died following a brief illness at a local hospital, Dr. McNeal was appointed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Schaeffer as Colonel Glenn's successor. Dr. McNeal had frequently, during absences of Mr. Glenn from the city, attended to the deputy's work and he was thoroughly acquainted with all of the deaths of the office as well as with the educational work of the State. Many Years an Educator All of his mature years had been spent in school work. Born in Huntingdon County, Dr. McNeal began teaching school at an early age and for half a century he had been closely associated with the public school system of the Commonwealth. He was elected County Superintendent of Schools of Huntingdon County and held this place for six terms. He then moved to Dauphin County, living at Steelton for a time, and was chosen County Superintendent of Schools here, a position he held for fifteen years. For three years, during the early part of the last decade, he was an instructor at the Lock Haven State Normal School. During the last ten years Dr. McNeal had been in the offices of the Department of Public Instruction. Up to the time he was named as deputy, less than five months ago, he was the department's financial clerk, and he handled for years all the school settlements, or the payments of State moneys to the various school districts of the State. Dr. Schaeffer, Superintendent of Public Instruction when he heard of the death of his deputy today, said: "He was a superior man in every way, and too much good cannot be said of him. We have lost one of our most valuable men in the State service." Body to Be Brought Here Within a year three men, whose names have been known to every school teacher and every person interested in the common school work of Pennsylvania, have died. Secretary of Internal Affairs Henry Houck, who had been connected with the Department of Public Instruction for upwards of half a century, was the first of the trio and then followed Colonel Glenn and Dr. McNeal. Dr. McNeal is survived by his widow and two children, Ira B. McNeal, a lawyer of Sharon, and Mrs. Harvey F. Smith, 130 State street, this city. Mrs. Smith, who has been spending some time at Eagles Mere, was notified today of the death and is on her way home. The body will be brought to the McNeal residence tonight and upon the arrival of Mrs. Smith arrangements for the funeral services will be made. Dr. McNeal was a member of several Masonic bodies and a member of Grace Methodist Church. The Evening News, Harrisburg, Penna., Friday, August 9, 1918 DEATHS McNEAL - Professor McNeal, died Friday, August 9, 1918, at 8.15 a. m. at State College, age 70 years. Funeral services on Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock from 130 West State street. Burial private. Relatives and friends are invited to attend without further notice. Pastors in charge are Dr. Reed, Dr. Manges and Dr. Swartz, of Harrisburg. Dr. McNeal's Funeral to Be Held on Monday The funeral services of Dr. Robert M. McNeal, deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction who died suddenly yesterday at State College, will be held Monday afternoon at 3.30 o'clock at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Harvey F. Smith, 130 State street. The services will be in charge of the Rev. Dr. George E. Reed and the Rev. Dr. George P Mains, of this city. The Evening News, Harrisburg, Penna., Saturday, August 10, 1918 DR. ROBERT M. M'NEAL Funeral services were held this afternoon at 3.30 o'clock for Dr. Robert M. McNeal, deputy superintendent of the State Department of Public Instruction, who died Saturday at State College, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Harvey F. Smith, 130 State street. The Rev. Dr. George F. Mains of this city and Dr. Morris E. Swartz, presiding elder of the Central Pennsylvania District, officiated. Burial was made in the Harrisburg Cemetery. The Evening News, Harrisburg, Penna., Monday, August 12, 1918