Obituary of Robert Truman Neer, DDS

Dr. Robert Truman Neer, age 96 of Saginaw Michigan, passed away Sunday July 12, 2026 due to Advanced age, in his sleep with family present. Bob was born in Dixon Illinois on August 26,1929 to the late Dr. Merle C. and Mildred E. (Boggs) Neer. He spent part of his grade school years living in Knox Indiana and some time in Warsaw Indiana, living above his grandfather's grocery store with his grandparents and mother while his father attended Chiropractic College. Bob's high school years were spent in Saginaw Michigan and he graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1947 and Bay City Junior College where he started his studies to enable him to go on to become a Chiropractor like his father. Near the start of the Korean War Bob enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Garmisch Germany where he was placed by an Officer/ Mentor into the US Army Dental Corps as a Dental lab technician, starting his career path and desire to continue in the field of Dentistry. Bob made a return visit stateside to marry his longtime girlfriend Kay, briefly honeymooned, then returned to Germany to fulfill his service to the US Army. At the completion of his service, he returned to Kay and Michigan and enrolled at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor where they started their life together. Bob graduated with a Doctorate in Dentistry and a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics, then returned to Saginaw to start his practice in Orthodontics. In his Orthodontic practice Bob treated thousands of patients from 1959 to 2005, remembering nearly everyone he had treated as a friend.

Bob was an avid reader and if not working always seemed to have a book in his hand, he also loved skiing and traveling to most of the United States with family and to parts of the world with family and later, just he and Kay. He was an accomplished classical guitarist, very good woodcarver and enjoyed watercolor painting and many art forms, he also enjoyed exploring new and old places outdoors and all types of music. He was the family bread baker for years, making and baking wonderful whole grain breads of his own recipes.

Bob is survived by his four children Susan Quinn, Thomas Neer, Elizabeth Neer and Kristin Strachota (Don). He also Has five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Kay (Chivington) Neer and his sister Elonwy Neer Harrison, and his beloved adopted Dobermans Layla and Lacey.

Bob's family wishes to thank and acknowledge the kind and loving care that he and they received from the aides and employees at Traditions of Saginaw, Jen Roberts from All Valley Home Health and Hospice Care and Chaplain John. Honoring Bob's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of life has been held. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may wish to make a contribution to Saginaw Animal Care and Control, a local PBS station, or any women's resource center or a charity of your choice. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.