Richard Spencer Dobbin

March 28, 1927 - July 5, 2014

Richard Spencer Dobbin, 87, of Stephens City, formerly of Winchester, died Saturday, July 5, 2014 at his residence. He was born March 28, 1927 in Springfield, MA the son of John Vance and Elizabeth Howard Dobbin. He married Alberta Margaret “Tiny” Healey on November 22, 1952 in Petersburg, VA. Mrs. Dobbin is deceased. Mr. Dobbin graduated from American International College in Springfield, MA with a bachelor’s degree. He had majored in biology and had a minor in chemistry. He also studied in a post graduate course of engineering, statistics and quality control at the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict from March of 1951 until March of 1953. Mr. Dobbin worked as a chemist, quality control engineer and manager for several manufacturing companies. He was a volunteer with the SPCA, the Coalition for Racial Unity, the NAACP, City Lights, the Association for Retarded Citizens where he also served as president, the Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club and the American Society for Quality Control. He was an avid anti-tobacco activist, an AARP tax aid and the former president of Local ARC where he served on the state panel as a vice-president. He was an avid runner and hiker and a member of the Shenandoah Valley Runners Club. He won three VA state championships as a senior runner at age sixty-three: the 800 meter, the 1,500 meter and the 5,000 meter. Surviving is a son, Steven R. Dobbin of Woodstock. A funeral service will be Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in Kernstown United Methodist Church with Rev. Aaron W. Fitch and Rev. Kitty Hahn-Campanella officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northwestern Community Services, 158 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA 22602. Arrangements are by Phelps Funeral & Cremation Service, Winchester.