Bob Earl Stobbs

Bob Stobbs, 92, of Evansville, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Heritage Center. Bob was born on February 4, 1932 in Salem, Missouri to Matilda May (Hickman) Stobbs and Jesse James Stobbs. He has one beloved big sister, Jimalee. Since the day he was born, she has always been there for her little brother, even from a distance in her home in California.
The Stobbs family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1941, where Bob graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1950. He worked for a trucking company after high school until he was drafted in 1952. He joined the United States Navy, where he served during the Korean War in California and then in Japan prior to his Honorary Discharge in February of 1960.
Bob married Carol Deane Gleason of St. Louis, Missouri and they had two children, Teri Suzanne and Gary Dean Stobbs. After they divorced, he married Janice Summers of Evansville, Indiana and they were together for over 60 years until she passed away in February of 2023.
Upon his return from his service in the Navy, Bob went to work for MOOG Automotive in St. Louis, and spent many years of his career with MOOG in Southern California before moving back to Evansville, Indiana. After his retirement from Federal Mogul (formerly MOOG), he returned as a contract employee, overseeing their NASCAR Race Program until 2004. He spent a great deal of time traveling to all the races, being in the garage area, and meeting the owners, drivers, and crew chiefs. He and his wife Jan collected over 100 plus photos of themselves with drivers in victory lane.
Bob and Jan also spent many years working with Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana, keeping score at the races. Bob sold advertising for Tri-State up until just a few years ago. He always enjoyed hanging out with his racing family at the track.
Bob spent a great deal of time in service to his community in numerous capacities. He was involved with the Masons in St. Louis beginning in 1959. After moving to California, he became involved with the Los Cerritos Lodge in 1965, serving as Grand Pursuivant in 1976 and Worshipful Master in 1979. Even after moving back to Indiana, Bob remained a member of his home lodge, Los Cerritos, until just a few years ago.
Bob served as Council President for the Town of Darmstadt, Indiana for many years, and was often referred to as the "Mayor of Darmstadt." He could be seen almost daily having breakfast or playing cards with "the guys" at the Darmstadt Inn. Bob was also very involved with Salem Church of Darmstadt, serving on their Church Council. He and Pastor David developed a very special relationship that has been quite a blessing and comfort in his later years.
Bob had a lot of hobbies in addition to his work and service. He restored an old Chevy pickup and entered it into the Frog Follies numerous times. He loved riding around his property on his John Deere tractor, and riding through town in his Model A "oogah car," aptly named by his nieces because of the sound the horn made. He was an avid Cardinals fan for his entire life. Bob and Jan were also known for their extravagant Christmas decorations displayed at their annual Christmas Eve open houses. Bob would spend weeks working on the decorations, and making cookies and candies to serve to their friends.
Bob shared many good times laughing and going for walks and snuggling with his granddoggy Chloe. She absolutely loved her GrandPaw, and he especially looked forward to her visits during the past five years while being loved and cared for by his compassionate adopted family at Holiday Village and Heritage Center and Heritage Hospice.
Most of all, Bob loved his family with his whole heart. He is survived by his daughter, Teri Stobbs Ricci; and his sister Jimalee (Stobbs) Hubeli, as well as her two children Jeff Hubeli and Marilyn (Clyde) Tamanaha; one great nephew and one great-great niece. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Tanah Terrell and her two children, Kristi Koberstein and Eric Summers; three great-nieces Kendall, Kaylee, and Kyla; two great-great nieces and one great-great nephew.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice (Summers) Stobbs; his son, Gary Stobbs; and his brother-in-law, Donald Hubeli.
Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024 at Ziemer Funeral Home North Chapel, 6300 N. First Ave., Evansville. Visitation will continue from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Salem Church of Darmstadt, 14134 Darmstadt Rd., Evansville. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor David Peterson officiating.
Burial will be at Park Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Church of Darmstadt, 14134 Darmstadt Rd., Evansville, IN 47725.