John August Dobelman

John August Dobelman, of Houston, Texas, departed this life on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the age of 65 years. He had battled leukemia for over 24 years. John was born June 13, 1957 in Houston, Texas. His parents were Gerard August Dobelman and Katherine Bayless Dobelman.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Elizabeth Dobelman and children August Dobelman(Alicia Matousek), Hope deRosette Dobleman, James Whitehead(Jennifer Hopkins), Janette O'Sullivan(Michael O'Sullivan), and Elizabeth Whitehead. His grandchildren are Gerard Dobelman, Derek Dobelman, Timothy Whitehead, Rachel Whitehead, Rebecca Whitehead. Caitlin O'Sullivan, Ciaran O'Sullivan, Emma Whitehead and George Smith. He is also survived by his god brother, Rene Bell of Houston.

John was a cherished husband and devoted friend to Kathleen for over 33 years. "But because our expression is imperfect we need friendship to fill up the imperfections. A man of our own type or tastes will understand our meaning before it is expressed; certainly a long time before it is perfectly expressed." G.K. Chesterton, 1874-1936.

A father who made the way for dreams to come true, and who has given the gift of himself into the children's lives. A grandfather of great creativity and unmatched devotion for his nine grandchildren.

The gifts he possessed that enriched and delighted his family and friends where his enduring academic prowess, a natural musician, artist and poet. An advocate of those who cannot speak for themselves. Ultimately, John was an organizational guru for work and home who possessed a sharp wit and contagious laughter.

I would be remiss to not mention John's love and dedication to Chabad of Rice University and all his musical friends!

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn shining brighter til the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A brief graveside service will be held after the funeral service at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, with a reception following.

The Pallbearers are August Dobelman, Elizabeth Whitehead, Rene Bell, Shawn Smith, Robert Padilla, and Timothy Johnson.

Dr. John A. Dobelman was a beloved Rice community and faculty member of the Department of Statistics. After receiving his Ph.D. in Statistics from Rice, he joined the department as a Professor of the Practice to serve as the first director of a newly established master's program in statistics, the first of its kind in the greater Houston area growing this program to international acclaim. John served as an associate director of the Center for Computational Finance and Economic Systems(CoFES) and was the author of five books that bring the best of statistics and data science to bear on the complex world of investing.

For those who wish to do so, memorial contributions may be directed to Rice University at the Office of

Development MS-81, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77521, or at giving.rice.edu(http://giving.rice.edu/), with a designation for CoFES or the Department of Statistics.