Neal Bader Obituary

Robin and Family Members
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your beloved Neal! My deepest sympathy to all who knew Neal and his Family

Neal was a great childhood friend. And we had a great childhood. We would spend 8 hours a day with a baseball glove on our left hand. During the winter we had a baseball game we would play with baseball cards on his carpet.
Neal was a really great baseball player. We didn't hang together in high school. Both his house and my apartment building were torn down. Neal went to u-high and i went to Kenwood.
I continued to hear that he was a great high school ball player.
No surprise.
Neal called me earlier this year to tell me about his health and to touch base after so many years. We met once or twice at the
Menominee Club.
When Neal called me, he told me about being offered contracts by a couple major league teams. He told me about his plan to play college baseball, until the coach required him to cut his hair.
Neal had no interest in cutting his hair for a baseball coach, so he played soccer, and he was a 'long hair bandana' all conference, state, etc. soccer player.
I thought of Neal every day after his phone call to me.
Neal was a really solid dude. He knew himself and was himself.
He was the best at what he chose to do. Great at the work he did at the Menominee Club. Obviously great as a referee.
Most importantly, Neal, after all these years wanted to catch up with me but also to share his most treasured stories and pride for his family and kids.
Neal, I am so appreciative of our childhood together.

Neal was one of my closest childhood friends. We lost track of each other after College and reconnect via Facebook 10 years ago . When we first met and the Menominee Club we talked like we were still kids

I knew he was quite ill the past year and am very sad to hear that he has passed

My condolences to all his loved ones

Harvey Weinberg
West Des Moines , IA

I relocated to Chicago from the east coast 40 years ago. I met Neal Bader a few years after that move when I joined the Burwood SC in Lincoln Park. An accomplished soccer player, Neal became a regular teammate for many weekend games. Neal and I were also colleagues in our professional lives; Neal directed the Menomonee Club and I oversaw athletics at the Latin School. We spent long hours discussing common dilemmas; Lakefront playing fields and the struggle to locate coaches and officials. Neal frequently gave advice on a coach for Latin´s program or offered insight about a prospective student who had participated in sports at Menomonee. Neal and I shared similar views about both the value of the life lessons that sports can teach young people and the importance of sportsmanship.
Neal eventually wound down his soccer playing, and instead took up the whistle of a soccer referee (his Burwood brethren might find this moderately ironic). Neal became a superb referee. As the Latin boys´ and girls´ coach, I knew if Neal appeared for a game, it would be managed professionally and equitably. Neal was highly respected around the Chicagoland high school soccer scene, and in my opinion was among the best high school referees in the state.
While I knew him as a teammate and a colleague, more significantly Neal Bader was my friend, and I miss him. My condolences to his family and all who knew him...

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Neal - he was the highlight at the Menomonee Club as our family enjoyed most sport and social events for many years. May his memory be eternal.

Neal was more than a teammate or friend, but a true inspiration for me to do better and be better. He will always be remember for his great smile that would make everyone in his presence light up with joy. I enjoyed playing soccer with him, working for him at the JCC and coaching, refereeing, and umpiring with him. My fondest memory was when we had three baseball games going on on the fields at the south end of Lincoln Park. The parents were particularly boisterous that day, and Neal stopped all the games, brought us all together and told them I was the head coach at a local high school, Robin was a PhD student, and I forget what the third ump was. Anyway, he said, if you want me to continue to be able to hire quality people, you parents need to show respect. Not a peep was heard the rest of our games! RIP my friend.

Neil was a good friend in high school and I always enjoyed seeing him at reunions. I'm proud to see what he did with his life and he will be missed

Neal,

I miss you already. We may have been 4 years apart in graduating U-High, but we were ALWAYS on the same page in many ways......OUR summer in 1985 working together at the JCC Sports Camp was wonderful, ( a summer I still look back on that was so positive), as were the dozens of soccer games we officiated together.........I want your family to know that your friendship and ability to speak with me about numerous issues will NEVER be forgotten. Your advice to me was always extremely valued. Thank you for being a part of my life, and my deepest condolences to your entire family.......

One of my favorite people in the world. As ED of Thodos Dance, I had the pleasure of working with Neal almost daily. He was an exceptional person...so kind and always a smile on his face. The world is a better place because of Neal. My condolences to his family.

I was sorry and saddened to read Neal's obituary today. I remember Neal fondly from high school and know that he was so very dedicated to the work that he was doing at The Menomonee Club. Jim Naisbitt (U-High class of 1971).

Indoor "rug" hockey Johnston Commons 1975, 76´
RIP Brother
My condolences to all
Parker Hapgood