ORONO - Robert A. Cobb, 80, passed away September 29, 2022, surrounded by his family after valiantly battling cancer, at a Bangor hospital.
Bob was born in Augusta October 19, 1941, the son of Willis and Aldea (Maheux) Cobb, growing up on a dairy farm in Winthrop. He balanced farm chores starting at 4 a.m., three sports and numerous extracurricular activities, graduating as Valedictorian from Winthrop High School. It was there he met the love of his life and soulmate, Shayne Lee Dooling, and married her on August 26, 1961.
He earned his Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees from Springfield College where he played and coached football. In 1977, he became dean of the UMaine College of Education, serving in this capacity for thirty years and retiring as the longest-serving education dean in the country. Two of Bob’s most notable accomplishments were spearheading a movement to raise the aspirations of Maine youth and promoting positive learning environments for young athletes through the initiative Sports Done Right, which became a national model. Throughout his career, he was surrounded by exemplary colleagues whom he held in high regard.
Some of Bob’s favorite pastimes were spending time at his house in Surry, carpentry projects in his garage workshop, preparing legendary Thanksgiving meals, phone calls with longtime family friend, Walter Abbott, and reading (often in his truck while Shayne was shopping). Both he and Shayne enjoyed volunteering, planting and maintaining gardens at Orono town signs and participating in Wreaths Across America. A loyal New England sports fan, he attended many UMaine athletic events. He loved meeting with his 6 a.m. “coffee crew” at Pat’s and McDonald’s.
Bob had unparalleled love for his family, and no one more than Shayne. Throughout his illness, she was his primary concern. He remained a steadfast, loving presence in the lives of his two children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from the day they were born. Bob was a mentor to many, both personally and professionally. He was a true gentleman - kind, genuine, and humble. He was the epitome of hard work, integrity, devotion and generosity. Whether in the role of Dean, Dad, Bob, or Grandad, his caring knew no bounds.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Shayne, are his daughter, Tracy and her husband, Owen, of Orono; son, Casey and his wife, Sheri Peabody, of Connecticut; five grandchildren, Chelsea Drew and her husband, Eric, of Orono; Chloe Lewis and her husband, Nate, of Bangor; Caleigh Paul, of Bangor, Caden and Sedona Cobb, of Connecticut; three great-grandsons, Connor and Charlie Drew and Jack Lewis; brother, Dick Cobb and his wife, Betty; sister, Sue and her husband, Jerry Doughty; brother-in-law, Brad Dooling and his wife, Michele; brother-in-law, Kelly Dooling and his wife, Ann; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brother, Bill.
The family wishes to thank Grant 6 and the Palliative staff of Northern Light EMMC and CCOM for their care and compassion.
Services will be private. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Robert A. Cobb Scholarship Fund, umainefoundation.org, or to Lafayette Family Cancer Center C/O Northern Light Health Foundation, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Cobb, please visit our flower store.
Bob was born in Augusta October 19, 1941, the son of Willis and Aldea (Maheux) Cobb, growing up on a dairy farm in Winthrop. He balanced farm chores starting at 4 a.m., three sports and numerous extracurricular activities, graduating as Valedictorian from Winthrop High School. It was there he met the love of his life and soulmate, Shayne Lee Dooling, and married her on August 26, 1961.
He earned his Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees from Springfield College where he played and coached football. In 1977, he became dean of the UMaine College of Education, serving in this capacity for thirty years and retiring as the longest-serving education dean in the country. Two of Bob’s most notable accomplishments were spearheading a movement to raise the aspirations of Maine youth and promoting positive learning environments for young athletes through the initiative Sports Done Right, which became a national model. Throughout his career, he was surrounded by exemplary colleagues whom he held in high regard.
Some of Bob’s favorite pastimes were spending time at his house in Surry, carpentry projects in his garage workshop, preparing legendary Thanksgiving meals, phone calls with longtime family friend, Walter Abbott, and reading (often in his truck while Shayne was shopping). Both he and Shayne enjoyed volunteering, planting and maintaining gardens at Orono town signs and participating in Wreaths Across America. A loyal New England sports fan, he attended many UMaine athletic events. He loved meeting with his 6 a.m. “coffee crew” at Pat’s and McDonald’s.
Bob had unparalleled love for his family, and no one more than Shayne. Throughout his illness, she was his primary concern. He remained a steadfast, loving presence in the lives of his two children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from the day they were born. Bob was a mentor to many, both personally and professionally. He was a true gentleman - kind, genuine, and humble. He was the epitome of hard work, integrity, devotion and generosity. Whether in the role of Dean, Dad, Bob, or Grandad, his caring knew no bounds.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Shayne, are his daughter, Tracy and her husband, Owen, of Orono; son, Casey and his wife, Sheri Peabody, of Connecticut; five grandchildren, Chelsea Drew and her husband, Eric, of Orono; Chloe Lewis and her husband, Nate, of Bangor; Caleigh Paul, of Bangor, Caden and Sedona Cobb, of Connecticut; three great-grandsons, Connor and Charlie Drew and Jack Lewis; brother, Dick Cobb and his wife, Betty; sister, Sue and her husband, Jerry Doughty; brother-in-law, Brad Dooling and his wife, Michele; brother-in-law, Kelly Dooling and his wife, Ann; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brother, Bill.
The family wishes to thank Grant 6 and the Palliative staff of Northern Light EMMC and CCOM for their care and compassion.
Services will be private. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Robert A. Cobb Scholarship Fund, umainefoundation.org, or to Lafayette Family Cancer Center C/O Northern Light Health Foundation, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931.
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