Robert Dale Stainback

Robert D. Stainback

November 20, 1954 – September 11, 2025

Robert Dale Stainback was born on November 20, 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska where his Air Force father, Col. Frank Pleasants Stainback, Jr. and mother, Nancy White Stainback, were stationed at the time. Other assignments meant that Rob lived in Naples, Italy and Washington, D.C. until the family settled near Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach, Florida, where he attended junior and senior high schools, graduating as "Mr. Satellite!". Rob attended Florida Southern University and the University of Alabama on scholarships and grants, obtaining a PhD in psychology. He later returned to the University of Alabama for an MBA (Roll Tide!). On his internship in substance abuse at the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, he met and, then in 1983, married Judith Ann La Marche with her two children, Paul Lydolph, III and Tamara Bryant Lydolph. So began a 42-year loving marital partnership.

Rob's career was devoted to dual interests: Substance abuse treatment and sports psychology. He directed the Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the Birmingham Department of Veterans Affairs medical Center in Birmingham, AL and served as an assistant professor in psychology and psychiatry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Rob developed expertise in mental training, health, and sports psychology, and established a private practice in sport psychology. This combination led to his authorship of the book "Alcohol and Sport". He spent a summer as a visiting professor at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and worked with Olympic athletes. Rob also helped numerous amateur and aspiring professional athletes. After semi-retiring and moving to the beach, Rob and Judy acted as Medical Consultants to the Social Security Division of Disability Determination for another 12 years, retiring in 2015.

Rob is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Col. Frank Pleasants Stainback, Jr. and Nancy White Stainback, and cherished son, Paul Lydolph, III. He is survived by the precious relatives he leaves behind: wife, Judith Ann La Marche; daughter, Tamara Bryant Kahn (Edward); daughter-in-law, Kirsten Elisa Lydolph; brothers, Dr. Frank Pleasants Stainback, III (Laura) and David Allen Stainback (Nancy); as well as grandchildren, Naomi Lydolph, Margaret Lydolph, Paul "Søren" Lydolph, Teri "Tipi" Gutierrez, Jane Lydolph, and Robert "Magnus" Lydolph; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rob was an eager athlete, playing youth sports, especially baseball and basketball, was on the college rowing team, and enjoyed skiing, golf, tennis, and scuba diving. He also loved music, art, and nature. Travel was a highlight of Rob and Judy's life, often sharing the wonders of this world by traveling with family or friends. Rob participated in various community organizations and served as a deacon in the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church. His many creative talents, curious intellect, caring sensitivity, and loving kindness will live on in the memories and hearts of those who loved him.

There will be a Celebration of Life to honor the Rob's memory on April 11, 2026 in the Sandestin area. The family is grateful to the caring staffs at Watercrest Senior Living where he had lived since July, 2021, and Emerald Coast Hospice. Contributions in his memory can be made to National MS Society, Emerald Coast Hospice, or the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church.