Capt. John F. Dobson Ret.

Capt. John F. Dobson Ret., of Stevensville, MD passed away on October 25, 2015 at his home. He was 89. Born on February 17, 1926 in Bell Center, Wisconsin to the late Frederick and Mina Fach Dobson. He grew up in Reedsburg, Wisconsin and graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1944. After graduating with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949, he served as a Naval Officer for 31 years. He earned a Civil Engineering Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Physics from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He was also first in his class when he attended three special 16 week military schools: Mine Warfare School, Atomic, Biological and Chemical Warfare School, and Basic Civil Engineer Corps Officers School. Some of his unique assignments included participating in one of the early atomic bomb tests at Mercury, Nevada witnessing several atomic blasts from nearby trenches. During his Naval career he served in Germany, Guam, South Korea, Hawaii, Japan, Cuba, Vietnam, and even Antarctica where he led a team that inspected the Navy’s nuclear reactor at the McMurdo Antarctica Base. He was the SeaBee’s Director of Construction for river boat bases in Vietnam, providing construction expertise and inspection for 22 river boat bases, one airfield, and 13 coastal radar facilities. He also served as Public Works Director at the Washington Navy Yard and was Director of The Field Division, Naval Electronics Division, overseeing 13 electronics field activities. After retiring from active duty, he was employed as a contractor by the Navy as General Manager of Public Works at its new base in Jubail, Saudi Arabia where he supervised 900 employees. He later became a contractor for the U.S. Air Force in Turkey, where the Air Force and Turkey jointly maintained five large bases and 22 electronics activities stations. He then became Project Manager for a U.S. Army contract at Huntsville, Alabama where he was in charge of a $52 million annual contract employing 1,350 people. He served there for four years. He then served as Project Manager for a U.S. Navy contract for the maintenance of the U.S. Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee. John is survived by his loving wife Marilyn Dobson of Stevensville, MD; daughters Lynn Herron (Steven) of Millersville, MD; Lois Alden (Paul) of Stevensville, MD; 7 grandchildren Cliff Dobson; Andrew Blanchard; John Bogdon; Stephen Bogdon; April Teal; Jennifer Saunders; and Ryan Alden; and 9 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sons Kenneth Dobson (CPA) and LCDR Gary Dobson. A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester, MD where he was a faithful member of the choir for many years. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to: Hospice of Queen Anne’s County and Kent Island United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com

Capt. John F. Dobson Ret.

February 17, 1926 - October 25, 2015