Robert J. Dobbs

Robert "Bob" Dobbs, Jr. of Melissa, Texas, formerly of Olean and Auburn, New York, died peacefully at home on October 23, 2020 at the age of 76.

Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy Dobbs (Bennett), his daughters, Robin (Tim) Parrish of Wichita Falls, Texas and Kim (Shane) Basham of McKinney, Texas. Seven grandchildren, Elisa (Chris), Logan (Rebecca), Connor (Emerald), Cameron, Ashley, Aaron and Sara, fourteen great-grandchildren, siblings Rebekah (Gary) Strait of Pinellas Park, Florida and Don Dobbs of Oldsmar, Florida as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Robert J. (Shirley) Dobbs, Sr. and mother Nancy Dobbs (Nabb)

Bob was born on January 3, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Nancy Dobbs. He graduated from Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio.  He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science with a minor in music and education from the University of Toledo and ultimately earned his Master’s Degree in Library Science from SUNY at Geneseo.

“ I worked at a branch of the Toledo Public library shelving books among other things. Our job title was ‘Page’ and I said that was because we didn’t have enough seniority to be a whole book.”

He married Judy Bennett, his high school sweetheart, in 1964.  His first job after graduating from University of Toledo was as librarian at the junior high in Ithaca, New York.

While there he designed the new Media Center for the new middle school.  After making their way to Western New York, Bob began work as librarian at Olean High School in 1972. He touched countless young lives over the next 13 years. In 1985, he moved to Auburn, New York and took a position at BOCES as School Library Systems Coordinator servicing 34 schools in Cayuga/Onondaga counties where he stayed for the next 15 years. In 2002, Bob retired from the NYS school system and he and Judy spent the next 17 years traveling the country as full-time RVers. During this time, he graciously gave of himself to the Methodist mission volunteer group NOMADS, where he served on and led many projects. In 2019, after several years of visiting their daughters in Texas, Bob and Judy settled in Melissa, Texas and joined the Melissa United Methodist Church.

Bob was an accomplished musician playing piano, organ and oboe. He loved to write music and often wrote witty, humorous songs.

“My senior year was 1961/1962 my major activity was music – band and orchestra. I played oboe for concert and glockenspiel for marching band. I also played piano but usually only as I wished rather than what I should [but it did help get some girl’s attention!]. During my junior and senior year I wrote two band compositions one of which was entered into a contest at Ohio State. Received a ‘one’ rating and I understand it was retained in the Ohio State band’s files. My senior year I wrote a band and piano piece”.

He will forever be remembered for his quick (and terrible) humor (which his family learned early never to ask him to repeat a quip if they missed it the first time), his generosity, his patience and his love of God and his family.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of McKinney, 315 N. Church St., McKinney, Texas 75069. Following the service, the family will be gathered at the home of Kim Basham at 2312 Norway Spruce St. for those that would like to visit. Stacey Piyakhun, Pastor, Melissa United Methodist Church will officiate the ceremony. The service will also be streamed live on the church website, https://video.ibm.com/channel/fumc-mckinney for those who are unable or uncomfortable to attend in person.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to NOMADS https://www.nomadsumc.org or Melissa United Methodist Church https://melissaumc.com/giving memo: Bob Dobbs. We invite friends, family, co-workers and former students to leave written or video stories and memories on the Bob Dobbs Memorial Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Bob-Dobbs-Memorial-103264388253839/ . These memories will also be shared at his service.