Robert Neal Farley

Robert Neal Farley

1925-2014


Robert Neal Farley passed from life to eternal life on Monday, July 21, 2014, after a short illness. He had resided in Bedford, TX, for the past four years with his wife of 65 years, Frances.

Bob Farley was born October 8, 1925, in Kansas City, MO, the eldest son of Neal & Mina Farley, née Teel. Bob declared his faith in Jesus by being baptized on April 17, 1938. He moved with his family to Austin, TX, in 1932 He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in May, 1942. He entered the University of Texas at Austin that same year. As part of what Tom Brokaw has labeled “the greatest generation”, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July, 1943. He was deployed to the 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division in 1945. His company was deployed to Japan, as part of the U. S. Occupation Forces. The remainder of his enlistment was spent leading patrols into the back country, collecting weapons. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Austin, TX, to reunite with his family.

In the fall of 1947, Bob was diagnosed with tuberculosis, requiring an eighteen month stay at the VA hospital in Temple, TX. After recovery, he met, courted, and married Frances Zschiesche of Pottsville, TX, a registered nurse working at the VA hospital. They were married August 14, 1949, and moved to Austin, where Bob resumed his college studies. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business accounting in 1951. He began his professional career in Ft. Worth, TX. While he and Frances were living in Ft. Worth, they were blessed with the births of two children: Dale (1952) and Karen (1954).

After a frightening brush with polio in 1954, Bob took a job at Texas A & M University and then a local business. In 1957, the Farleys moved to Austin, so that Bob could help care for his parents, who were in failing health.

Working first at the University of Texas in the accounting office, Bob began the challenge of qualifying as a certified public accountant, achieving that milestone in 1964. He worked until 1981 in various state agencies and one non-profit company. In 1981, he began a private accounting practice, which he continued until 1991, when he retired. After physical rehabilitation, required after suffering a heart attack, he worked a lighter schedule in conjunction with several other CPA’s, retiring for the final time in 2004. During the years of private practice, he was actively involved in promoting continuing education opportunities through a Friday morning breakfast and CPE opportunity, from 1979-2008. For the last 12 years of that time, he scheduled speakers for 45 sessions each year.

Bob firmly believed in active involvement in church, civic, and professional circles. He was a member of the local, state, and national chapters of CPAs, as well as groups of Government Accountants and Church Business Administrators. He was active in the Boy Scouts for many years, serving in a number of positions at the troop, district, and council levels. He was a Scoutmaster for 20 years and received the Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge, and the Lamb Award (for service as a Lutheran Scouter). He held executive positions in all the Lutheran congregations he was a member of, from 1952-2008. He also served as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent in a number of congregations over the years, a position he considered of vital importance in the health and vitality of any congregation. He freely and generously gave of his training and knowledge in financial matters, serving as Treasurer in several congregations, and on the Finance Committee of the Texas District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Bob brought an analytical eye and mind to every congregation he held membership in, firmly believing it was his duty to use the gifts God had given him in God’s service. Though poor health has prevented his usual level of participation in his current home congregation (Calvary, Richland Hills), he has continued to attend worship events as often as he could.

Bob is survived by his wife, Frances, children, Rev. Dale & Nancy Farley, and Karen & Pete Moxley, brother, Bill & Dorothy Farley, grandchildren Sean and Erin Farley, Celeste & Keith Larson, Katarina Messenger, Nancy and Ashley Moxley, great-grandchildren Caylynne O’Dell, Bentley and Annaley Moxley, as well as cousins, nephews, and nieces

Donations may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, Richland Hills, TX, or your favorite charity.

A Service of Thanks and Praise for the life of Robert Farley will be held July 26, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7620 Baker Boulevard, Richland Hills, TX 76118. Visitation will be held the hour preceding the service. Interment will be on Monday, July 28, at 11:15 a.m., at the National Cemetery in Dallas, TX. A Memorial Service will be held at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, 9508 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX 78755, on Saturday, August 2, at 11:00 a.m. Receptions will follow both services.


“Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord. …They will rest
from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” (Rev. 14:13)