Robert William Dobson

Robert W. Dobson, 61, passed away on January 6, 2022. He was born on March 28, 1960 in Kingsville Texas. He was an Engineer, Inventor, Author, Business Owner, Father, and Grandfather. Being a Navy Brat, he moved around Florida from Jacksonville to Pensacola, and finally to St Petersburg. He graduated from Northeast High School on June 19th, 1978 and furthered his education at Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute and graduated from there with a Electro Mechanical Technology Diploma in May of 1980.

He moved to Stafford Texas and worked at Texas instruments as a new products development technician from 1980 to 1982. He was scouted by E-Systems now formally known as Raytheon and moved back to St Petersburg.

He started off at the Failure Analysis lab while working in St Petersburg. He rapidly Advanced through the technical ranks from an entry level engineering technician to a non-degreed engineer. In 2001 he invented an Automated RF Coaxial Relay DC Parametric Measurement System. He was known for his systematic approach to problem solving. Wrote multiple technical papers over the years and won multiple awards. His last title until retirement was a Principal systems engineer E05. He worked at Raytheon for a total of 35 years.

During his last years before retirement, he started buying homes in Georgia to move his Wife close to her parents. Robert had to take care of his Father, so he renovated the downstairs of his personal home for end-of-life care. During this emotional time, he started a business where he would rent out homes. He completely renovated 6 houses in Gainesville Georgia. He took on a huge project to make his final home a place for the family and all grandkids to live out his legacy. 

Some of his favorite sayings are “do an A job” at whatever you do, and “20s you’re learning, 30s you’re earning, 40s you’re owing and 50s you’re living”.

Robert is survived by his wife, Barbara Dobson; his son, Johnny Dobson; his daughter, Michella Dobson; mother, Judith Ann Dobson; grandchildren, Cole Newman, William Dobson, and Ellie Dobson; sisters, Robin Louise Malek and Renee Lynne Gard. 

A Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Alta Vista Cemetery.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.