Dr. Warren Leslie Bobbitt

Dr. Warren Leslie Bobbitt
Dr. Bobbitt, 82, died at his home on March 8, 2004.
Dr. Bobbitt was born August 26, 1921 in Charlotte County, Virginia, the son of The Reverend Fred Bobbitt and Jessie Bobbitt. He attended Wake Forest and transferred to Northwestern University where he received his B.S. degree. He earned his Masters degree from the University of Virginia and his Ed.D. from the University of California at Berkley.
Dr. Bobbitt served in the US Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 and was stationed in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He was married to Jane Neal Herndon on June 7, 1952 in Newport News, Virginia.
Most of his professional career was in the fields of education and administration. He began his career as a teacher and counselor in 1949 having taught in Virginia, California, New York and North Carolina. He retired from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as Assistant Superintendent for Special Services in 1985. His expertise in the areas of special education and administration made him sought after as a consultant in Virginia, Florida, Texas and North Carolina. His state and national professional affiliations related to his involvement in school counseling, personnel, guidance and administration. He was instrumental in the founding of the National Association of Pupil Personnel Administrators and served as the first president. He was an advisor to the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Personnel and named Boss of the Year, in 1977.
The contributions of Dr. Bobbitt in the areas of health and human services were legendary, having served on 16 boards of directors and as advisor to others during his career in Mecklenburg County. He served as President or Vice President of a number of organizations including, Charlotte Drug Education Center, Charlotte Family and Children's Service, Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center, Council for Children and Programs for Accessible Living. He also served on the Area Mental Health Authority, Charlotte Council of Alcoholism, Mental Health Board, Mecklenburg Council for Adolescent Pregnancy, Shepherds Center and planning boards for local and state United Ways.
As evidenced by these involvements, Dr. Bobbitt was a knowledgeable and compassionate man and was always interested in services for children, the handicapped, and those in all types of need.
In 1965 he was granted leave from CMS to begin the Charlotte Area Fund and served as the first Director. He was instrumental in obtaining the first funding grant and in locating the first permanent director. Following his retirement from CMS he served as Executive Director of PAL for two years. He helped select his successor and served as mentor for staff there as he had done for many other directors of agencies with whom he had worked as a consultant or board member.
His church involvements locally were at Christ Church and St. Peter's Episcopal Church. He and his wife were long time members of Bridge Builders with Mecklenburg Ministries and Senior Democrats.
International travel was an interest of Dr. and Mrs. Bobbitt having traveled with Friendship Force groups to England, Denmark, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Brazil and West Berlin before the removal of the wall. They returned to Krefeld, Germany with the Sister City program.
His wife of 53 years, Jane Neal Bobbitt, his daughter, Margaret Laney, his son, Warren and wife Susan, his cousin Bill Monroe and wife, Anna of Charlotte and cousins in other cities, survive him.
A memorial service celebrating Dr. Bobbitt's life will be held Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The service will be led by The Reverend David Pittman. Following the service the family will receive friends at the church. Parking is available in the Transamerica Building on Seventh Street across from the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 115 W. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Harry and Bryant Company is serving Dr. Bobbitt's family.