Robert H. ‘Bob' Dobson

Robert Dobson died Jan. 18, 2006, at Valley Hospital, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m. today at the Palmer Pioneers' Home. All who knew and loved him are invited to attend.

Mr. Dobson was born Oct. 28, 1926, in Massillon, Ohio, to George and Maud Dobson. After high school graduation in 1944, he enlisted in the Army and honorably served in the post-war occupation of Germany. After using the GI Bill to attend Ohio State University, he began a 48-year career as a science and math teacher.

While at Ohio State, he met his first wife, Dorothy &#8220Dottie” Updike, to whom he was married for nearly 48 years. They had four children - Jeff, Lisa, Doug and Chris.

In 1976, Mr. Dobson left teaching in Ohio to move to Palmer to begin work with Christian Ministries/Alaska. He was an elder in the church and taught in the church-sponsored school. He also taught at a school sponsored by the Church at Sapa in Kenny Lake, Wasilla Christian School in Wasilla and Farm Loop Christian School in Palmer.

Mr. Dobson completed his teaching career in 1997 as an adjunct instructor at Mat-Su College in Palmer.

Throughout his teaching career, he was known for encouraging students to excel beyond what they thought they could do and always made time to help them master the subject he was teaching.

In 2002, Mr. Dobson moved to the Palmer Pioneers' home where he met his second wife, Dorothy Hill.

Mr. Dobson is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Palmer; children and their spouses, Jeff and Michelle of Wasilla, Lisa and Wayne Kemp of Wasilla and Chris and Susie of Florida; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Dobson was preceded in death by his brothers, Frederick and Kenneth; his first wife, Dottie; son, Doug, and grandsons, David and Eric Dobson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Residents Council of the Palmer Pioneers' Home or to the Alzheimer's Foundation of Alaska.

Arrangements are with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.