Bob graduated from Plains High School in 1933, Mansfield College in 1938, with a B.S. in education, and Bucknell in 1950, with a master's in education.

Bob taught physical education at Dallas Township High School and Dallas Area School District from 1938 to 1960. He coached football, basketball and baseball at Dallas Township from 1940 to 1950. He coached the first football game for the old shoe in 1948. When told he needed a shoe to be bronzed, he grabbed a shoe from the pile not knowing whose it was. From 1960 to 1962, Bob was the driver training instructor at Dallas Senior High School. He was assistant principal at Dallas High School from 1962 to 1968, becoming principal in 1968, until his retirement in 1978.

Bob was drafted in the Army the summer of 1942 (the school board got a deferment for Bob so he could coach the last football game, which was on Thanksgiving Day, against Kingston Township). He entered the service the next day. Knowing he was a teacher, he was immediately made Corporal and given the assignment of teaching 200 young boys from Tennessee and Kentucky how to write their name so they could sign for their pay. Not wanting to go to Officers Training, he was given the option of becoming a cryptographer at the World Headquarters for Communications at Asheville, N.C.

The first message he decoded was from General Eisenhower to President Roosevelt. While in the service, he married 2nd Lt. Antonia Kozemchak in January, 1944, at Ft Oglethorp, Ga., (they were engaged before they entered the service). They had 64 years of marriage until her passing in 2007. He was honorably discharged as part of the Air Force on Dec. 23, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sgt. He received the American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal.

He was a member of P.S.E.A. and N.E.A., Luzerne County Retired Teachers, Dallas Kiwanis and George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531.

Bob was very active in Kiwanis for almost 60 years, being president in 1965. In 2007, he was honored by having the annual Senior Girls All Star Softball Tournament renamed the Robert Dolbear All Star Softball Tournament. Bob and his best friend, the late George McCutcheon, initiated the tournament in 1978 and were co-chairmen for 25 years. In 2012, Bob received the Kiwanis Legion of Honor and a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives honoring him for his 60 years of service with Kiwanis.

Bob was also a member of the Shavertown United Methodist Church, being on the Board of Directors in the 1960s.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Antonia (Toni) K. Dolbear, son, Robert L Dolbear Jr., son-in-law, Robert J. Williams Sr., sisters, Emma, Sarah, Cora and Jenny, and brothers, Frank and George.

He is survived by his daughter, Gloria D. Williams, of Trucksville; grandsons, Jeffrey Miller and wife, Becky, of Shavertown; Brian Miller and wife, Catherine, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; Jonathan Dolbear and wife, Aubrey, of Philadelphia. Also surviving are great-grandsons, Logan, Joe and Brandon Miller, of Shavertown; Nathaniel Miller, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; and great-granddaughters, Lily Marie and Maisie Rose Dolbear, of Philadelphia; plus many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at The Villages at Greenbriar for the excellent care they provided for Dad. They were his extended family!! Their care went above and beyond! Remember, detention if you don't behave or are late!!! A huge thank you to the staff of Sacred Heart Hospice for their compassionate care and being with him through his end-of-life journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob's name can be made to Dallas Kiwanis Club, George M. Dallas Lodge or The Shavertown Methodist Church.

Due to COVID restrictions, his viewing and funeral will be private. Military honors will be conducted at his interment in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via legacy.com.

Arrangements are by Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., Shavertown.

You were the light of our life and the laughter in the air!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Leader from Oct. 3 to Oct. 4, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dolbear

18 Entries

Deborah Switzer

October 6, 2020

Hello, I am Mrs. Clark Switzer, wife of the Bob's Pastor at Greenbriar for 8 years. I did the song leading, Clark preached, as did Annette Meade and Bob Sabel until Covid didn't allow us to come anymore. Bob was Clark's principal at Dallas, and always had a nice word for Clark when he was done preaching. We learned early on that his favorite song seemed to be, "In the Garden". When we would open up for requests he requested that song every time. So, it turned out, that we never left there without singing that song every Sunday- as a tradition really. He never missed church! He was such an inspiration to us all. We are sorry we never met you, his family, and we are sorry for you loss, especially so close to the 105! Sure wish he shared those historical military secrets with somebody! (Clark is a history teacher!) Haha! What a guy! God bless you all at this time.

Carl Kaschenbach

October 5, 2020

I remember your father (grandfather) as an even-tempered, competitive, athletically gifted individual who served as my elementary and junior high basketball and football coach as well as driver education instructor. He was a mentor to the youth of Dallas, either as a teacher, a community leader, a family man or just a solidly good friend. I will always remember how he regaled with his stories of WW II. He was a tribute to the greatest generation and was a joy to those of us who grew up in their shadow. He will be remembered. Condolences to his family.

Carl Kaschenbach

October 5, 2020

I remember you father (grandfather) as an even-tempered, competitive, athletically talented individual who was my elementary and junior high basketball and football coach as well as driver education instructor. He was also a neighborhood mentor of young men in terms of community, church and family. He later regaled with like stories of military experiences as I learned of his exploits in WW II. He was an indelible influence on a generation of youngsters who grew up in the shadow of the greatest generation. My condolences to his family.

Carol A Carroll

October 5, 2020

Heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Dolbear.
My mother inlaw Dorothy Carroll enjoyed working with Mr. Dolbear in the Dallas school district and enjoyed talking with him and especially at meal times at Greenbriar. He was a wonderful gentleman. ♡

October 5, 2020

I am truly heartbroken to hear of Mr. Dolbears passing; he was one of the kindest people I ever knew and always the consumate gentleman....May your memory always be for an Eternal Blessing.

October 5, 2020

Gloria and Family,

A wonderful gentleman, father, educator, and mentor to so many Dallas students.
I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Dolbear a number of months back and reminisce on my days at Dallas and his interesting and full life.

Art Baird-Shavertown

Barbara Wynn ( Honeywell)

October 4, 2020

I graduated in 1967. Mr Dolbear was a interesting and great man, who I was blessed to have known. I also knew him and his family from the Shavertown United Methodist Church. He was a great family man Rest In Peace with our God.

lillian jennings

October 4, 2020

Rest in peace Bob. You will be missed.

Mary Ann Sigworth

October 4, 2020

Mr, Dolbear was my teacher, a co-member of the faculty and my principal. I never saw him angry nor resist a chance to help someone. I'm happy to have known him. Deepest sympathy to the family.

Terry and Ron Sutton

October 4, 2020

Our sincere sympathy. He was one of the most genuinely nice people we have ever met.

Fred & Myra Gosart

October 4, 2020

We were truly saddened to hear the news of Mr. Dolbear’s passing. He was the personification of the word gentleman and our Junior/senior high school coach, our teacher, our mentor, our assistant principal and our friend. We are so thankful that he was in our lives at that very crucial time of our social development. We offer our love, warm thoughts and sincere condolences to Gloria and the entire Dolbear family during this difficult time.

Adopted family

October 4, 2020

I can only hope to live a life as full as Bob and Toni’s, they were wonderful people on earth and will continue to be in heaven, and their legacy lives in an angel named Gloria.

October 4, 2020

Rest in peace, Mr. Dolbear. Dallas Class of 1969

A Friend

October 4, 2020

Mr. Dolbear was one of those very rare Principals that was beloved by everyone,Faculty and Students. What a long and distinguished life he led. Truly a wonderful man!!

Judy Gomba

October 4, 2020

R I P Bob.

REV. THOMAS SCHMIDLE

October 4, 2020

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU. AND MY PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU. SEE YOU SOON IN HEAVEN. TOM SCHMIDLE....

William Howell

October 3, 2020

Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Uncle Bob. He was a kind and wonderful person. Lois Howell and family.

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