Obituary: Robert M. Neubauer, 80; Legendary Wallingford Coach

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): The family of Robert Martin Neubauer shares Robert peacefully passed into eternal rest on June 2, 2021, fighting a courageous diabetes battle.

“Coach Neubs” was born in New Britain, Connecticut April 20, 1941 to Cornelius Neubauer and Kathryn Carbo, and has a brother, Raymond Neubauer (wife Edna) living in Bristol, Connecticut. Coach Neubs most recently lived in Naples, Florida with his wife Jan (Lepito) Neubauer.

A 1959 graduate of New Britain High School, Connecticut, Neubs went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Education from Seattle University in 1963; then earned a Master’s in Education from Southern University, Connecticut in 1975; lastly a sixth-year degree in Education in 1980 from St Joseph University.

Coach Neubs was married in 1964 to his Seattle University sweetheart, Karen Bloomfield-Neubauer (deceased in 1987), they raised five children, Robert Joseph Neubauer (wife Maria), Richard Charles Neubauer, Lisa Neubauer-Deshais (predeceased 2009), Michael Neal Neubauer, and Jeffrey Martin Neubauer (wife Marcella). Neubs is step father to Cheryl Lyn Carlock-Boyer.

In order of age, grandchildren are: Doctor Robert Patrick Neubauer (married to Shawnee); Karen Marie Neubauer-Hill (married to James); Nicholas Joseph Deshais; Kacey Lyn Neubauer; Matthew Amoroso; Christian Neubauer, Jaiden Neubauer, and Maximillian Neubauer. In 2020, twin great-granddaughters, Charlotte and Caroline, were born to Karen and James Hill. Neubs has several nieces and nephews, adores his brother/sister-in-laws, has many heartfelt friendships, and highly respects several coaching colleagues, and fellow teachers working by their side for 35 years.

Building upon their many decades of hometown friendship, Neubs was reacquainted with his high school sweetheart, Jan Lepito, and they married in 2001. It was obvious to all who know Bob and Jan they are soul mates, with endearing devotion and purpose to blend their two families into one. Their first residence was Meriden, Connecticut, in 2013 they moved to Naples, Florida. Bob and Jan traveled extensively to all but six of USA States.

Full of love and adventure for any-and-most things involving the beauty of nature and love of sports, Neubs was poised to enjoy retirement life, with Jan by his side. Neubs and Jan lived life to the max and told their love story to others by illustration of unwavering, unconditional love.

We will miss you, Coach Neubs, and thank you for being our father, grandfather, husband, friend, coach-mentor -- your examples demonstrated working hard with passion is the pathway to achieving goals.

Coach Neubs stated Baseball was a game of preparedness and strategy to be good at the sport, do your best to learn and honor its history. Those who know Neubs and his passion for the sport of baseball can honestly agree, his own distinguished baseball background and coaching skills honored the legacy.

The Coach Neubs life-celebration will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 7p.m. The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext, Wallingford, CT. His family will receive relatives and friends in the funeral home before the service from 4 p.m. until 7p.m. For those who cannot attend, the life celebration will be live-streamed on his online obituary page at www.wallingfordfh.com. If you prefer, in lieu of flowers please donate to the American Diabetes Association.

The story of Coach Neubs

The story of Coach Neubs, Connecticut legend, started in Wallingford, Connecticut at Lyman Hall High School (1963-1971); and Mark T. Sheehan High School (1971-2000), Meriden Summer Baseball American Legend Program, and throughout the years Neubs built an illustrious 35-year Connecticut career as an educator, Baseball, and Cross Country Coach.

Neubs earned a respected reputation as a Connecticut Baseball icon, also developing an impressive Cross Country program, evolving into an annual State event, named Connecticut Robert M. Neubauer Invitational. Connecticut State High School Championships were earned under Coach Neubs, as well as National American Legend titles.

Neubs is revered as a man of integrity, honesty, a gentleman, and with exceptional knowledge of sports. Coach Neubs exemplifies the importance of high school athletics. His focus was placed on ethical behavior and character development, on and off the field with his students. His players learned to love their game of choice, not just for the win-records and thrill of victory, but to concentrate on the value of working together as a team (Neubs felt players used this advantage throughout their professional and personal lives).

Complementing his coaching career, Coach Neubs holds an impressive personal record of accomplishments. Namely 5 Connecticut Baseball Halls of Fame: New Haven Diamond Club; New Britain High School Hall of Fame; Mart T. Sheehan Hall of Fame; Seattle University Hall of Fame; State of Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

On the personal side, Neubs lettered at Seattle University, hit .410 (and that record still holds): earned national recognition for Division 1 Universities in RBIs during his Senior year at Seattle University; twice led hitting in the prestigious Hartford Twilight League and named their MVP; and played for the Colt 45’s (before changing their name to Houston Astros); selected by Housatonic League Umpires Coach of the Year in 1983; was twice cited by State of Connecticut General Assembly for his coaching accomplishments. In a 2016 dedication ceremony, the Mark T. Sheehan High School Baseball Field was named the Robert M. Neubauer Field (a distinction Coach Neubs considered quite an honor).

Coach Neubs started each game with his saying, do your best boys, you are well-prepared to win today – now go and show your opponents how to play ball!

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.