Obituary of C. Richard Bobear

C. Richard “Dick”  Bobear, 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023, at his home in Clifton Park, NY.  Born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 9, 1927, Dick was the son of the late William H. and May B. Bobear.  After the family relocated to Upper Darby, Philadelphia, he was educated at Brookline and Llanerch schools in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Dick then attended Haverford High School until his family moved to Schenectady, where he graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1945. He immediately deferred enrollment at Harvard University to enlist in the U.S. Army. Sergeant Bobear was honorably discharged at the end of World War II and graduated from Harvard (Winthrop House) in 1950. He later earned an M.S. in Finance from the University of Cincinnati.

Dick began a distinguished 44-year career with General Electric in 1951, starting in the Purchasing Department in Lynn and Boston, Massachusetts. He then served as Production Control Manager for jet engines in both Cincinnati and Belgium, until 1963. This was followed by three years in Phoenix, Arizona where he established a Purchasing Department for General Electric’s bleeding edge manufacture of computers. In 1966, he relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, where he worked as Purchasing Manager for GE gas turbines.

In 1975, Dick relocated to his home in Clifton Park, NY to be closer to his family as he started an assignment in GE’s International Projects Department. He worked in Algeria from 1975 until 1979 supporting power plant development. Upon his return, he served as Manager of Material Supplies and Quality Assurance for GE in New York City—commuting home to Clifton Park every weekend to help care for his aging mother. When GE closed its NYC office in 1984, Dick was finally able to work in Schenectady and live full time in his Clifton Park home. He retired from General Electric in 1994.

Over the course of his career, Dick was sought from around the world, for his keen leadership abilities, highly effective management style, and caring approach with peers and colleagues. And throughout his life, Dick was known by family, friends, and neighbors for his non-judgmental and compassionate approach to helping those in need. He went out of his way to give advice and lend a helping hand. He never missed a family gathering and always made himself available to provide support and guidance to his loved ones. Dick was treasured by all who were fortunate to know him and will be greatly missed.

Dick was predeceased by three brothers, William J. Bobear (Noreene) of Latham, Dr. John B. Bobear (Valerie) of New Orleans, and David B. Bobear (Mary) of Clifton Park, and by one sister, Dr. Jean B. Bobear of Brockport.  He is survived by three generations of nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 9:30 – 10:50 am on Saturday, July 8, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd in Clifton Park, NY 12065.  Burial will immediately follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.