Obituary: Robert Blackburn Neal, Jr., 85, of Ludington

January 6, 2025

Bob Neal

Robert Blackburn Neal, Jr., 85, of Ludington, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids. Bob was born on March 4, 1939 in Ferndale, the son of Robert B. Neal, Sr. and Suzanne B. Neal. Bob was the oldest of five boys.

In 1948, when Bob was 9, he moved with his family to Ludington where his dad had invested in Miller Dairy, a business started by Al Miller in 1935. Bob attended elementary school in Ludington. He graduated high school from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin in 1957. He attended Albion College and then Michigan State University, where he majored in dairy technology and food science, graduating in 1962. During his senior year of college, Bob, at the age of 22, became a minor business partner in his father’s business, Park Dairy in downtown Ludington. In 1962, he became plant manager. The company name changed to House of Flavors in 1964.

In 1974, Bob married his darling and love of his life, Kay Mulligan Hackert, who survives him; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer.

Bob and Kay sold their shares of the manufacturing business to Protein Holdings in 1999; the company operates as House of Flavors, Inc. with Kay’s daughter, Sarah Holmes, serving as vice president of finance and granddaughter Lindsey (Holmes) Calhoun serving as marketing and sales associate of House of Flavors, Inc. Bob’s son, Barry, along with his family, own House of Flavors Restaurant, which is adjacent to the manufacturing plant.

Faith and family were the foundations of Bob’s life. He also loved Ludington. While Bob “Scoops” Neal is best known for his role in making Ludington an ice cream destination, he dedicated his life to making Mason County a better place to live.

He was an emeritus board member of Memorial Medical Center of Ludington (now Corewell Health Ludington Hospital); he was one of the founders of the Lakestride Half Marathon; as a member of the Ludington Area Jaycees, he helped begin the Stearns Park mini golf course; he was named Ludington Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year; he was instrumental in bringing the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament to Ludington; he and Kay chaired the fundraising campaign for a new United Methodist Church of Ludington, then purchased the old building which they gifted to the Ludington Area Center for the Arts; and he was a passionate developer of several commercial and residential buildings in downtown Ludington.

Additionally, Bob loved the outdoors and being active. He was a runner, cyclist, hunter, skier, golfer, fisherman, boater and beach-sitter. He and Kay loved skiing their way around the United States before finding their mountain paradise at Arrowhead in the Vail Valley, Colorado.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kay and their children: Barry (Cindy) Neal of Holland, Brian (Bonnie) Hackert of Ludington, Terri Neal of Manistee, Jeff (Dina) Hackert of Kentucky, David (Stephanie) Hackert of Ludington, Sarah (Doug) Holmes of Ludington, Tracy Neal of Manistee, and special son, Peter Liedholm of Sweden; grandchildren: Madison (Mike Cota), Pierce Neal, Jordan (Danielle) Hackert, Tyler (Chelsea) Hackert, Michael (Claire) Hackert, Travis (Ali) Hackert, Leah (Scott) King, Spencer (Katie) Hackert, Calvin Hackert, Chelsey (Adrian) Ledesma, Leighton (Mackenzie) Hackert, Jace Rasmussen, Alexis Rasmussen, Lindsey (Riley) Calhoun, Carson Holmes, Daylan Hill, Davion Neal, and Meeko Hill; great-grandchildren: Everett Cota, Noa Cota, Sean Hackert, Taylor Hackert, Norah Beth Hackert, Caden Hackert, Chloe Hackert, Grady Hackert, Griffin Hackert, Grant Hackert, Payson King, Piper King, Nash King, Jeffery James Hackert, Charlie Hackert, Everly Ledesma, Elias Ledesma, Laynie Ledesma, Scarlett Hackert, Stasia Hackert, and Lincoln Johnson. Bob is also survived by his brothers: Tom (Mary) Neal, Ron (Mary) Neal, Rick (Jean) Neal, Bill Neal, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Robert Blackburn Neal, Jr. will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington. His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church of Ludington, with visitation starting at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ludington Area Center for the Arts, Covenant Christian School or United Methodist Church of Ludington.

Scoop’s Guiding Principles:

Keep smiling

Have humility and a great attitude

Never let yourself stay down

You’re only one idea short of the perfect solution

Honesty trumps everything else

Money’s not important until you don’t have any

Friends and family are the sugar of life

Life is like skiing a double-black bump run, it’s one turn at a time

Life is like riding up a mountain, it’s still one turn at a time

If you never quit you’ll eventually arrive at your goal

Be generous and pray often