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Walter Herbert Cobbs Jr., Ph.D., of Salem, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at age 91, at Our Lady of the Valley Nursing Home in Roanoke. He was born in Franklin County in Rocky Mount on October 28, 1921, to the late Walter H. Cobbs, Md. and Louise Pearson Cobbs. He graduated from Franklin County High School in 1938, and earned a B.S. in Chemistry summa cum laude from Hampton Sydney College in 1942. He did graduate work in chemistry at Cornell University and earned his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1949. He was proud to have served as radar officer in the Navy in World War II. He contributed in the field of applied polymer research working in various corporations, eventually directing research at Nordson Corp. in Amherst, Ohio, where he retired at age 65. He served as adjunct faculty in the graduate school of Chemistry at Virginia Tech for several years thereafter. He was active in many professional organizations, including the Blue Ridge Chapter of the American Chemical Society. He enjoyed serving on Church and hospital boards in several communities where his career led him. He was active in the Presbyterian Church wherever he lived, and a member at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Salem in his retirement. He was an avid home auto mechanic and car buff, enjoyed camping and loved animals.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jean Delaney Cobbs, of Bedford, to whom he was a devoted husband.
He is survived by his son, Walter H. Cobbs III, M.D.; and his daughters, Elizabeth J. Cobbs, M.D., Susan D. Proctor and Louise Cobbs; brothers, William W. Cobbs and John I. Cobbs; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013, at New Hope Presbyterian Church, Salem with the Rev. Cameron Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem. 540-389-5441.
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So sorry we could not make the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.my favorite memory was he was head of the family
Kathy Cobbs Statesville, NC
Kathy Cobbs
January 19, 2013
Wish we could have been with you all today. Our love and prayers go out to you all. Uncle Walter was an awesome person and I have such wonderful memories of him.
Louise Bennett
January 19, 2013
Thinking of all of our families in Virginia, remember you are in our prayers just as if we were there with you..
Milford Cobbs
January 19, 2013
My thoughts and prayers to my cousins and uncles. I'm sure Uncle Walter and Dad (Carrington) are reliving their youth.
John Cobbs
January 19, 2013
Roberta Cobbs Rademacher, Rita Cooper Cromwell Cobbs, attending ill William Walton Cobbs II in Tampa Fla regretting to not join you physically but thinking of all of you
January 18, 2013
I regret that ill health has prevented my presence at my dear brothers obsequies Bill Cobbs
January 18, 2013
So sorry for the loss of your dad, my uncle and my fathers brother. We are here for you.
January 17, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the extended Cobbs family, as our elder statesman leaves us for now. Love, Mary
Mary Henick
January 17, 2013
My thoughts and prayers goes out to my cousins. Walter was the Big Brother to my Dad! May he rest in peace. Perhaps Walter and my Dad are conversing right now! Peace to all.
Georgia Cobbs
January 17, 2013
Walt,
So sorry to learn of your Dad's
death. It has been a long ordeal
for all of you, maybe now a little peace
will be in store for you. You were
really blessed to have had him for so long, Walt. My prayers are with you
at this sad time.
Eileen D
Eileen Dagit
January 17, 2013
Bill,
So sorry to learn of your brother's death. Fran and I are currently in Italy. We send our love and prayers and will contact you when we return. greg
Greg Rooker
January 17, 2013
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John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home & Crematory305 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153
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