Charles David Dobson

Charles David Dobson, 93, passed away peacefully from complications of prostate cancer on August 31, 2022 with family by his side. He was a resident of Newbury, Vermont; Potomac, Mary-land, and had recently moved to Venice, Florida. Born on July 23rd, 1929, in Tuscola, Ill, Chuck was the son of Charles Raymond Dobson and Jennie Morey Dobson. He grew up as a farmhand, living on the property where his dad was a tenant farmer in Tuscola. He convinced his parents to bring home a calf from a friend’s farm in Indiana - in the trunk of his father’s new 1936 Chevy! The calf made quite a racket but survived the trip. He raised the calf for his own spending money. They sometimes had horses, and he remembered most an ornery one named Old Pet that he rode from time to time. He went to Arcola High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1947. Chuck liked science and math and graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Mining Engineering. He was a member of ROTC in college and entered a U.S. Air Force meteorology program at MIT. It was in Boston, on a blind date, that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Stoughton who was in nursing school at Massachusetts General. They married in September of 1953 and spent the next 67 years together until Betty passed in February of 2020. They leave four children, David Charles (Ceil), Julie Ann (Chet Thaker), Kathleen Lynn Ix (Jeff) and John Carroll (Kathy); twelve grandchildren - Megan (Brock), Whitney, Logan (Emily), Katelyn, Zachary, Leigh (Dylan), MaryAnne, Lindsey, Julie (John), Mackenzie, Elliot, and Claire, and one and a half great grandchildren (Brock Jr, and soon to be Vernon!). He is also survived by Betty’s brother and sisters, John Stoughton (Sally), Lucy Schoff, and Mary Newey (Don). Chuck served as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force from 1951-1955, and stayed on in the reserve until 1966, reaching his highest rank of Captain. Chuck returned to the University of Illinois in 1955 to complete a master’s in engineering and began a long career in construction engineering for Dravo Corporation, based mostly in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania but traveling the world for large tunnel and mining projects. It was in Pittsburgh that he developed his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They raised their children in Moon Township and had an avid social life with neighbors and bridge club. Once retired, Chuck and Betty moved to New Hampshire full time, spending their summers on Halls Pond (Newbury) and winters in Woodsville, NH and enjoyed bowling, bridge, and making new friends. Once Betty’s Alzheimer’s disease progressed to needing more help, they moved to Potomac, Maryland and Chuck based his next ten years out of there, spending time at all the kids with trips to Switzerland, France, California, Philadelphia, and Florida. He loved his kids and was the patriarch of keeping a loving family together – as evidenced in the most recent Dobson family reunion (post covid) in Sedona Arizona and by his annual calls at mid-night on New Year's Eve to each child, no matter where they were in the world. Chuck loved hummingbirds! He took great care in hanging feeders where he could observe them closely boiled sugar water for them regularly. He hung other bird feeders and also added bird-seed regularly, cursing the squirrels who came to gorge themselves. He collected hats everywhere he went. His favorite hat, you ask, showed hummingbirds, of course! And he was addicted to doing puzzles, indulged by his family and friends. He remembered all birthdays; and sent birthday cards with cash equal to the age in years of the recipient! His favorite pastime, as he advanced in his years, was to sit by the fire and watch sports and game shows with the poodles on his lap! He listened to the music of the 40’s and the 50’s, especially Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall. He cherished meat loaf and mashed potatoes. Spaghetti and meatballs were a standard order, with white wine always. He will be remembered, not just for his ready smile and a warm handshake, as one of the truly good guys. If you count the tears shed for him by his friends and neighbors, not just family, as an accomplishment arguably more significant than all others, he passed a wealthy man! If you look at his family full of PhDs, MBAs, engineers, entrepreneurs, and management professionals, his emphasis on education, integrity, and family love stands out more than anything else. His progeny will proudly thank him and Betty for these smart genes that will live on for generations. A visiting hour will be held Monday morning, September 12th, from 9:30 – 10:30AM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 210 Main Street, Lancaster. A procession will follow to St. Paul’s Episcopal for a funeral service at 10:30AM. Reverend Timothy Brooks, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Summer Street Cemetery. A reception will be announced.

Charles David Dobson

July 23, 1929 - August 31, 2022