Robert A. Chubon

1937 - 2022

BORN

1937

DIED

2022

About

University of Pittsburgh University of South Carolina

Robert Chubon Obituary

Robert A. Chubon
November 22, 1937 - April 29, 2022
Columbia, South Carolina - Robert A. Chubon, 84, passed away peacefully at his house April 29, 2022. Born in Bradford, PA, he was the son of Peter and Amelia Chubon. He sustained a cervical spinal cord injury on a trampoline in a high school physical education class and was quadriplegic the remainder of his life. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology as well as a master's and doctorate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a professor in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University of South Carolina. He was beloved by his students for his candid manner of instruction and his love of good humor. He was also known for the creativity and practicality of his research. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra; his brother Richard of Arvada, CO; two sisters; Joyce Chubon of Kane, PA and Sandy Thompkins of Signal Mountain, TN; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Kane High School Alumni Memorial Award (KHSAMA, P.O. Box 546, PA, 16275), or Trustus Theater (520 Lady Street, Columbia, SC, 29201), or a charity of one's choice. A virtual memorial service is planned. The family has been assisted by Barr-Price Funeral Home.

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Published by The State on May 18, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Chubon

9 Entries

Teresa Jordan Owens

May 12, 2025

Dr. Chubon was just a remarkable man. I was his graduate assistant.

Teresa Jordan Owens

December 12, 2023

Dr. Chubon, you were so loved by your students at USC.

Blake Watson

July 12, 2023

I discovered Bob via his work on designing a keyboard layout that is more efficient than the standard one when typing with only a finger or mouse.

I have a disability that caused me to lose the ability to type on a physical keyboard. Some time around 2009, I started using an onscreen keyboard for Mac called KeyStrokes. It had a keyboard layout called "Chubon." Curious, I gave it a try. I ended up using it permanently, becoming a big fan and recreating variants of it on various apps and platforms.

I still use it to this day. It might seem like a minor thing, an alternate keyboard layout, but it really did help bring back the joy of writing for me.

I corresponded with Bob over email several times during the 2010s. I think he was happy to see his work continued and the impact it had on people.

I didn´t really know him, but I felt in him a kindred spirit-a person stuck navigating the physical world with a significant disability. I am saddened by his loss but glad to know that a part of him lives on through the work he did.

I don´t know if this site will let me add links, but more info about how I´ve used his research can be found at blakewatson dot com.

Attached image is a picture of his layout (a variant of it) on the macOS Accessibility Keyboard.

Teresa Jordan Owens

July 2, 2023

I was one of Dr. Chubon's rehabilitation counseling students in the 1980's. He pushed us to be our best. What an awesome professor he was!

José

February 15, 2023

Ralph Gallo

May 25, 2022

he was somebody that signified the courage to obtain his ideals of his life ambitions.

Ceille Baird Welch

May 23, 2022

Jim and I love you, Sandy. You and Bob are the most wonderful couple we've ever met. Today our hearts are filled with you. The two of you have enriched our lives. Memories of the four of us touring "On Wings Like a Paper Crane" are among our fondest. Thank you both for ALL the wonderful memories. And for the Life-lessons you taught us, and for your acceptance and your love.
Ceille and Jim

Becky Stone Bach

May 21, 2022

I am also a graduate of the Rehab Counseling program at USC, where Dr. Chubon was one of my favorite professors. He taught us a great deal about living with a disability, and prepared us to be better counselors, with much more than a textbook. His dry sense of humor, mixed with his incredible intelligence, made all of his classes enjoyable, and something to look forward to. His contributions the the program are surely missed. I'm thankful to been one of his students, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest in peace, Dr. Chubon.

Georgia M Troficanto

May 20, 2022

I am so sorry to read of the death of Dr. Chubon. I was one of his students in the M.Ed. program at USC many years ago. He was an incredibly brilliant and resilient man, and an excellent instructor. He will be remembered with much respect and appreciation for his lasting contributions, and for a life well lived in spite of adversity.

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