Robert Terry Tobin

Robert Terry Tobin

MINDEN, LA- Funeral Services for Former Mayor of Minden, Mr. Robert Terry Tobin (97) will be held Monday, September 17, 2007, 11:00 A.M. at the St. Rest Baptist Church with Rev. B. J. Martin, Pastor and Dr. B. F. Martin, officiating and 2:00 PM, at the New Prosperity Baptist Church, Lucky, Louisiana with Rev. Odell Matthews, Pastor and Rev. Samuel Harrison officiating. Interment will be at the New Prosperity B.C. Garden of Memories, Lucky, Louisiana.

Born in Lucky, Louisiana to the late Nat and Jane Patterson Tobin, Robert Terry Tobin was the second of seven children, six boys and one girl.

Because his parents were interested in their children receiving the best education affordable, at that time, they moved to Arcadia, Louisiana to make provisions for their children to go to high school. In Arcadia, Robert met Thelma McCoy. They became friends, sweethearts, married, gave birth to one child (who preceded him in death) and had been together for more than seventy-six years.

He attended Southern university, Baton Rouge, Louisiana , and graduated with a major in Science and a minor in Mathematics. His career started in the teaching profession, as principal and teacher at Castor Elementary. When the schools were consolidated, the principal of Webster High School, the late Wilbur Leon Hayes, asked him to come to Webster High School, Minden, Louisiana. This was the most memorable experience of Mr. Tobin's professional career. There he worked as classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal-- working with faculty and students of the highest magnitude.

To keep up with the educational demands, he went to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and received a Master's Degree in Science and Supervision. He later did further studies in the Doctoral Program.

In 1970, Robert decided to retire from the teaching profession. He spent much time fishing and traveling and decided to build his own home. It took one entire year for him to build his own home on East Street and after that huge task, he decided to become involved in politics.

In 1978, Robert Tobin announced his intentions to seek the city council seat for District A. He won, and was re-elected for two terms, unopposed. Maybe because of his love for people, all people-- the low, the rich, the poor, doctors, lawyers, gamblers and bootleggers and everyone that he encountered-- he was later appointed as Mayor of Minden.

He was a member of many civic and professional organizations including: Webster Association of Retired Teachers, Louisiana Association of Educators, National Association of Educators, Phi Delta Kappa, Kiwanis Club, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

He was Veteran of the 78th Signal Corps of the United States Army, where he received an Honorable Discharge holding the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

With all of his accomplishments and involvements, he remained humble -- always slow to make a decision and never quick to jump to conclusions. He was never to busy or involved to find time to REVERENCE GOD. Mr. Tobin, was an active member of Saint Rest Baptist Church, serving as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and member of various committees of the church. You could find him in church every Sunday. Often he would say, "By the Grace of God I have come this far, and He will surely lead me on."

Robert Terry Tobin leaves to cherish his precious memories, his loving wife of seventy-six years, Thelma; four surrogate children, James and Catherine Smith, Verlene J. Sanders, and Tommy Thompson; and many, many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 16 from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Services are entrusted to Kennon's Mortuary of Minden, Louisiana, kennonsmortuary@suddenlink.net, 318-377-0934. Kennon's Mortuary

Minden, La 318-377-0934