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Robert H. Combs

1935 - 2020

BORN

1935

DIED

2020

Robert Combs Obituary

Robert "Bob" Hatch Combs, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Bob was born to Troy and Virginia Combs, July 8, 1935, in Cleveland, OH. He was one of six children; four late brothers Troy, Chet, Richard, and Morrison, and is survived by his sister Amanda Madar and her husband Bill of MD. He was a graduate of the University School in Shaker Heights, OH, Class of 1955, and an accomplished baseball and basketball player. Bob served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea, and honorably discharged in 1962. He was the beloved husband to Sandra (Mahar) Combs, the love of his life and wife of 61 years. Bob had a hearty laugh and was a good-natured, gentle, kind, and generous man. Bob was a longtime proprietor of Combs Shoe Co., located on Front Street, Scituate, for 40 years. He devoted those four decades serving families and creating relationships in the Scituate community - it was clear he enjoyed helping and interacting with his community. After closing his business, he worked another decade at Shoe Market Kids in Cohasset, finally retiring in 2014. Bob was a deeply devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas and Florida over the years. He will be deeply missed by his family and all that knew him. Bob was an incredible father to his three children, Bernardine V. Combs of Carver, MA, Tina Combs-Fabrizio and her husband John of Plymouth, and Monty Combs and his wife Jan of Norton. Bob enjoyed spending time with his many grandchildren Brian DeAngelo (deceased) and Cory Combs (deceased), Nicholas Combs and his wife Erica of New Albany, IN, Tiara Myette and her husband Steve of Rochester, Brianna Fabrizio and Michael Fabrizio of Plymouth, and Benjamin Combs, Lucas Combs and Lily Combs of Norton. He was also blessed with many great-grandchildren, Kylee, Killian, Rozalind, Vivien, Bryson and Hatch. Due to COVID-19 there will be no services at this time. Condolences may be sent to Sandra Combs, 96 Esta Road, Plymouth, MA 02360. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Make-A- Wish Foundation, http://site.wish.org/goto/RobertCombs. To share a memory or condolences with the Combs family, please visit www.shepherdfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Scituate Mariner from Dec. 15 to Dec. 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Combs

17 Entries

David Kundtz - US class of 55

January 29, 2021

I have such fond memories of Bob Combs! I remember especially that he was friendly and kind - even as a youth.

Claudia Oliver

December 24, 2020

Bob always had a smile and a good word to say. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandra and her family. Peace and love, Claudia Oliver

Margaret Peters

December 22, 2020

As a child, Combs Shoe Co. was the only place we bought our shoes Thank You, You will be missed.

kay amirault

December 20, 2020

Bob was one of the first people I met at COA along with his wife Sandy.......they both made me feel welcome and Bob would always say try to come back again next week to watch the movie....I considered them as time went by to be my friends and I looked forward to seeing them each week..I loved seeing the two of them together....Bob was one you could always depend on to set up the chairs and after the movie to stack them away ......always so helpful, no matter what.. & he had a good since of humor which was delightful to me....just a really all around nice guy.....Everyone that was lucky enough to know him will surly miss him and I'm one of them..... my prayers go out to Sandy and their family at this time......my deepest sympathies Kay

Miki Joseph

December 20, 2020

Whenever I telephoned Bob's wife Sandra (my friend), if Bob answered the phone we would first have a lively conversation about what was going on with The Patriots or the Red Sox, as we were both game-watchers. THEN, and only after we had exhausted our sports opinions, he would call Sandra to the phone. lol Rest in Peace, Bob, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, unselfishly dedicated to his family. Someone used the word "gentleman." Perfect!

Mike Casey

December 18, 2020

Mr. Combs,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served with the U.S. Army in South Korea during the Cold War. Millions of Americans slept safe at night because you and your fellow Servicemen stood ready to defend our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Susan Leigh Anthony

December 18, 2020

To the Combs family,
I offer my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. Bob, or as I always knew him, Mr. Combs, was an absolutely delightful fixture in Scituate harbor. My Mom would take us all into the store to buy shoes, either for school or to get our summer pair of Keds or PF Flyers. On always felt his full attention and a sense of community and safety upon entering his store. Years later, I would run into him on occasion and whether he actually remembered me or not, he greeted me with an almost familial warmth and sincere gladness to chat with me. They don't make them like that anymore. Rest in Peace, Mr. Combs.

Janine M

December 18, 2020

I would spend summers in Scituate with my grandparents, and my grandmother would take me to Combs for my back-to-school shoes every year. One summer I even got an extra pair of sneakers because my feet had grown, and he was so patient bringing out numerous pairs for me to try on my very wide feet. I made it a point to bring my husband (then fiance) to get some boat shoes from Mr Combs. I was very sad when the store closed. Condolences to the family on your loss.

Barry Burns

December 17, 2020

This man ran an incredible show store and worked with our children and us as parents so well!

Martha Cook

December 16, 2020

He was really a lovely man. Even though he probably served thousands of new parents who were anxious about buying those first high-topped Stride Rights, he always treated each one kindly. We have such happy strong memories of shopping at his store. Sympathies to his family.
Martha Cook

Tricia Perry

December 16, 2020

I was one of 8 children, and my mom would take us to see “Bob” every year before school started... patient, kind and always so very pleasant-/ even after having to retrieve shoes from the top shelves on multiple occasions! Rest In Peace, and thank you to you and your family for being a part of our collective memory— and our “growing up” years!
Pam Malone— now Tricia Malone Perry

Carolyn (McBrien) Guarino

December 16, 2020

As kids we always had a good pair of shoes for school from Combs Shoe! So sad to hear of Bob’s passing. May he Rest In Peace.

Fred Parker

December 16, 2020

I was a regular customer of Comb's Shoe. I was very sorry to read about Bob. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family and friends.

Doris and Bill Seroll

December 16, 2020

We are so very sorry Sandy for you and your entire family! Bob was such a wonderful man. He had a beautiful smile and a kind word and awaiting ear for all who knew him. I always marveled that he remained as young looking as the last time I met him. Please find solace one day soon in all your special memories of your gentle and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
❤

Doris and Bill Seroll

December 16, 2020

So very sorry Sandy for you and your entire family. Bob was a wonderful man with a smile and kind words for all.
He never changed, handsome and young looking always. Please find solace in all your fond memories with your loving and gentle husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. ❤

Brad White

December 16, 2020

Super gentlemen.

55 years ago when I used to go into his front st store with my mom to get shoes, he always amazed me on how fast and efficient he was in sizing with different product selection way before the racyBrand-name shoes and sneakers today.

Bob was a true small businessman that thrived with his incredible customer base. A local legend who proudly served his country. May Bob Rest In Peace

Bob Nadeau, Raleigh NC

December 15, 2020

My sincere condolences to the Combs family. Bob was a great guy and had the best little shoe store ever. The moment you walked into the store you got an immediate hello and his trademark smile, even if he was 3 deep with customers.

I remember my mother being so excited when Bob opened his store in Scituate Harbor in the early 60s, as he had the best selection of kids foot wear. Luckily the store had a high ceiling and Bob would have the walls crammed to the ceiling with boxed merchandise. Whether we needed sneakers, dress shoes, corrective shoes, boots - whatever - Bob took great care of us as kids. I continued to buy shoes there as a teenager and an adult, as well as brought my kids there from the late 1980s through the early 2000 years.

When it was Heritage Days weekend in Scituate, there would be a mob of moms outside the store combing over the boxes of shoes stacked on the tables. Scituate Harbor was very fortunate to have Combs shoe store as a magnet for commerce over the years as all the other stores in the harbor benefited from the foot traffic he generated (no pun intended).

Again, condolences to the family that positively affected so many families in the Scituate area.

Regards,

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