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Grover Cobb Obituary
Cleveland Cobb, Jr.
Raleigh
Devoted Father, Beloved Teacher and Scholar, Avid Sailor, Wolfpack Supporter, and World-Class Storyteller
Born February 6, 1935 in Atlanta, GA, as the second of three children of Grover C. Cobb and Winnie T. Berry, Grover received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Georgia and a PhD in nuclear physics from the University of Virginia. In 1960, he came to NCSU in Raleigh and spent the next 38 years as a faculty member in the department of physics. Dr. Cobb published research papers in fields as diverse as nuclear physics, plasma physics, laser physics, and astrophysics. Together with Raymond Murray in the department of nuclear engineering, he also coauthored a textbook on general physics. Dr. Cobb was a popular teacher at NCSU, and one of his proudest achievements was being named professor of the year in 1996. Dr. Cobb served his country as a consultant to both the Department of Defense and the space program. He also served as President of the NCSU Faculty Club in the 80's, as President of the Raleigh Amateur Radio Club, and as Exalted Ruler for the NC B.P.O. Elks in the late '70's.
He was married twice, to Ruth Harmon Russell and Lequita Hartsell Ball, who both predeceased him.
He was also predeceased by a sister, Dr Joyce C. May, formerly of Elizabethton, TN.
He is survived by a brother, Thomas Berry Cobb, and his wife Danielle, of Bowling Green, OH; by two sons, Thomas Russell Cobb of Rocky Mount, NC and Stephen Berry Cobb, and his wife, Fiona, of Austin, TX, and by five grandchildren; Stacy, Melinda, Liam, Ryan, and Ciara. He is also survived by two step-children, Karen Ball of Raleigh, NC, and Michael Ball of Baltimore, MD.
Visitation will take place at Johnson Funeral Home, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC, Sunday evening April 15, from 6:00-7:30 PM. All friends and relatives are welcome to join the family immediately following the visitation for a Celebration of Grover's Life, at the Country Inn and Suites across from Johnson Funeral Home.
A graveside service will take place 11 a.m. Monday, April 16, at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funerals and Cremations, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount NC. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfunerals andcremations.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Grover Cobb
3 Entries
April 15, 2012
We were close friends of Grover at the Faculty Club for many years. We enjoyed our times and fun we had together. We watched football and Grover was the only one who could operate our television set at the club. He was a unique individual, and everyone enjoyed being with him. Max and Ellen Gregory
Lee Hatfield Jr
April 15, 2012
My Condolences to all who knew Dr Cobb,
may God Comfort and Bless you in this time of loss.
Dr Cobb had his Amateur Radio "Ham" License
call sign of W4YZX.
W4YZX Silent Key
73 K2HAT
John Clarke
April 14, 2012
I took Dr. Cobb's physics class at NCSU in the spring of 1972. I truly enjoyed every minute of it and especially his many uses of billards to explain physics. His most memorable quote that semester has always stuck with me: "A proficiency in pool is a sign of a misspent childhood." The class was three days per week and on Friday afternoon, if attendance was modest, we would adjourn to the student union after class for a spirited round of pool with some interesting observations along the way. He was one of my favorite instructors at NCSU.
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