| Notes |
- Ventriloquist, Bob Neller
to be Featured
Bob Neller and his talking dummie, Reggie, will present a program on ventriloquism at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the downstairs meeting room of the Appleton Public Library. Elementary school children in grades 1-6 are invited. Free tickets are available in the library children's department.
Neller, a nationally known entertainer in his younger years, started with ventriloquism when he was 11 years old. In the flourishing days of vaudeville, Neller shared billing with a number of stars, including Rudy Vallee, Benny Goodman, Wayne King and fellow ventriloquist, Edgar Bergen. On the circuit were well-known entertainment spots like the Waldorf Astoria in New York, the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles and the Palmer House in Chicago.
Neller's first dummy was made from a broom handle, a tin can and a clown's mask. His present sidekick, Reggie, is one of the most complicated dummies ever made. Designed by the Mackelroy Brothers of Ohio, masters of doll making, Reggie has 12 manual controls in the head, which enable Neller to produce 4,096 possible facial expressions. The magazine Popular Science once featured Reggie in an article because of the dummy's complexities.
Upon retirement Neller returned to his native Appleton with his wife.
The program, sponsored by Friends of Appleton Library, is being arranged by Dan Kelpinski.
Robert John Neller
1407 E. Glendale Avenue
Appleton
Age 78, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 9, 1989. He was born on April 8, 1911 in Appleton, the son of the late John and Ina (Briggs) Neller, and married Alvina Janssen on November 9, 1959. He was a charter member of Delta Upsolon Fraternity and was Past President of the Noon Optimist Club. Robert was a nationally known ventriloquist and had performed with Frank Fontaine, Rudy Vallee, Wayne King, Tommy Dorsey, along with many others. He is survived by his wife, Alvina; a son and daughter-in-law: Donald and Penny Neller of Milwaukee; a step-son, George Siebers of Anchorage, Alaska; two step-daughters and their husbands: Barbara and Mike Linder of Monroe, Louisiana; and Carol and Charlie Schroeder of West Bend; a brother and sister-in-law: Dr. James Locke and Patsy Neller of Coronado Cays, California; s sister, Margie Greenwald of Mt. Horeb; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Neller of Neenah. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Nicole Neller; and five step-grandchildren: Staci, Lisa, Greg Johnson; and Bill and Sara Schroeder. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Robert was preceded in death by two brothers: Donald and Richard. Complete funeral services will be held at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street, on Friday, August 11, 1989 at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Mc Fadden officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund is being established for the American Heart Association.
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1911 - 1989 (78 years)
