THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608110035
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 34 lines
Ralph Dixon Bobbitt Sr., 94, passed away Aug. 9, 1996.
Mr. Bobbitt was born in Norfolk on Sept. 22, 1901, the only son of Emma Virginia Dixon and Howard Bobbitt. Mr. Bobbitt is survived by his wife, Joan Crosby Bobbitt; two sons, Ralph D. Bobbitt Jr. and Gary L. Bobbitt; six grandchildren, Larry, Steve, Jeff, Christy, Jennifer, and Grey; and two great-grandchildren, Gregory and Kenneth.
Ralph Sr. attended Maury High School. He began his long career with Norfolk and Southern Railroad by working summers with his father, who was an engineer for the railroad. In 1966, after more than 47 years of service, Ralph Bobbitt retired as general foreman of the Locomotive Department, a position he held for more than 27 years.
He had been an active member of the Tidewater Rose Society from 1962 until his death. Shortly before his retirement, Mr. Bobbitt became interested in raising show quality roses, an avocation he pursued with a passion for more than 34 years. At one point, he displayed more than 350 rose bushes at his Norfolk residence. He was also past master of Doric Lodge (NU)44, A.F.&A.M. Mr. Bobbitt also carried the distinction of being the oldest living diabetic in the U.S. Mr. Bobbitt was a deacon, emeritus, at Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church, where he had been a member for 82 years. ``There is a place in the sky called Heaven. It is my wish, and I look forward to the time, when my family, each in their own time, will rejoin me there. Amen,'' R.D. Bobbit Sr., 1992.
A viewing will be at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, Norview Avenue, from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Church, 5520 Tidewater Drive. Following the burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery a gathering of friends and family will be held in the church social hall.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB