Robert Cobb

Waterville - Robert T. Cobb, 86, of Waterville, Maine and Horseheads, New York, passed away peacefully at home with his daughter on Friday, October 11, 2024, from complications due to Alzheimer's disease. Even while experiencing his symptoms, Bob greeted each day with cheerful exuberance. He lived his life with dignity, honesty, life-long learning, and profound love. He had the best chuckle in the world.
Born in 1938, Bob graduated from Matignon High School in 1956. He earned his BS in chemical engineering from Tufts University in 1960 and his MBA from Syracuse University in 1968. Bob was a proud veteran of the US Navy, enlisting in 1961. He served as communications officer on USS Leary (DDR 879) and later USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG 23). Aboard USS Leary in 1962, Bob took part in the Cuban missile blockade and never forgot how it felt to be so close to the end of all things. He left active duty in 1965 and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1972.
Bob married the love of his life, Barbara Bigus, in 1967. They met at a singles mixer in Corning, NY, where Bob worked for Corning Glass Works and Barb was an elementary school teacher. Barb thought he had a lot of class because he brought top shelf whiskey to the party, so she agreed to take a walk with him. Later that night, Barb told her roommate she had met the man she would marry.
They settled in Horseheads, New York, where they started Cobblestone Enterprises, a computer portrait business. As they raised their family, Bob launched his own accounting and tax preparation practice, BINEX Business Services. He retired in 2019 after decades of loyal clients returning every year for his personal touch and advice.
Bob imparted many life lessons to those around him, including his passion for equality and equity. He particularly celebrated the advancement of women and people of color in fields of science and technology. In his younger days, Bob was an avid coin and stamp collector. In his adulthood, he rediscovered his childhood love of magic and became an amateur magician specializing in card tricks. His fellow magicians became some of his dearest friends. Bob loved to dazzle his audience and always abided by the magician's oath and code.
Bob and Barb traveled to Bermuda and took cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska. They visited their children and grandchildren in Maine, California, and Washington. Bob's favorite place in the world was the family camp on Great Pond in the Belgrade Lakes of Maine. He spent every summer there growing up, fishing and boating, with his family, his devoted dalmatian, Queenie, and especially with "the other Bob Cobb." Indian Island was always in his thoughts. When Barb passed from COVID in 2021, Bob accepted Amy's offer to live with her in Maine. He spent two perfect nights on the Island for his 85th birthday.
Bob was predeceased by his mother Kay and father Carl, his sister Marion and her husband Jack, and his beloved wife of 53 years, Barb.
He is survived by his daughter Amy, son Jeff and his wife Ellen, grandsons Henry, Oliver, and Simon, niece Michele, nephew Bruce, and many loving in-laws, relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2282 Route 6 Wellfleet, MA, at 11:00 am on Monday November 4, 2024, immediately followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, 17 Cemetery Road, Truro, MA.
Amy and Jeff would like to thank Kelley Rodriguez, April and Meaghan Trask, Bath (NY) and Togus VA Medical Centers, and Beacon Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided to Bob.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com.
In remembrance of Bob's life, we ask that any charitable donations be made in Bob's memory to either the Belgrade Lakes Association (https://belgradelakesassociation.org/) or to Girls Who Code (https://girlswhocode.com/).