Robert Louis Bothmann, known to all as Bob, husband, father, craftsman, devoted servant to his community, and jokester, fittingly passed away on April Fools Day at the age of 83. He was born on November 27, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, the fifth and youngest child of William and Mary (Roscoe) Bothmann.
Bob spent much of his childhood in Mobile, Alabama, where he was baptized into the Catholic Church during grade school at Corpus Christi Mission School. He began high school at Burtonwood American High School in Warrington, England before returning to Mobile to graduate from McGill Institute in 1961.
Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Army, serving in northern Japan before being stationed at Fort Devins in Massachusetts where he met his wife, Joann Thibault. The two were married on June 7, 1969, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, beginning a partnership that would span 57 years.
After his honorable discharge, Bob joined Control Data Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he and Joann welcomed their two children, Bobby and Linda. His well-known and emphatic dislike of cold weather eventually drew the family south, back to his beloved Mobile. There he built his career as an instrument technician at UOP, working for over two decades before taking early retirement in 1999.
Never one to sit still he kept himself thoroughly busy with handyman work and poured himself into the woodworking craft he had taught himself over the years. Many children across Mobile awoke on Christmas morning to find a magnificent handcrafted wooden rocking horse waiting for them, each one a testament to his patience, ingenuity, and generous spirit. In his later years, Bob found a new calling at Radney Funeral Home, where he served as a hearse driver and worked visitations. He also performed general maintenance at St. Bridget Catholic Church. It was entirely fitting that a man who gave so freely of himself would spend his later years in service to both his faith community and his neighbors in grief.
Later in life he joined the crewe of the Mobile Mystics for several years.
Faith was the foundation of Bob’s life. A devout Catholic, he remained deeply committed to his Church throughout his years, and his work maintaining St. Bridget and St. Thomas Catholic Churches. He was a recipient of the Christ the King Award and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob’s generosity extended far beyond his workshop. He devoted three decades to the Boy Scouts of America, who awarded him their highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award in 1996, in recognition of his extraordinary service to young people. He and Joann were also longtime volunteers for the Little Sisters of the Poor, together running the organization’s annual Lawn Party for many years. In all things, Bob led by doing.
Those who knew Bob well also knew to stay on their toes. He had a deep and abiding love of practical jokes, and enjoyed being the recipient as much as the giver.
Bob made easy, lasting friendships wherever he went, continuing a family tradition of bringing found family into the blood family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Bothmann; his brothers Billy and Albert; his sisters Barbara and Aldah; and his nephew Ricky Hacker, as well as his beloved pets Major, Sam the Husky Man, Gracie the Heifer Dog, and Little Buzz.
Bob is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Joann Bothmann; his son Bobby Bothmann (Jeff Thomae) of Good Thunder, MN, his daughter Linda (John) Hicks of Mobile, his grand-dogs Stella, Bella, Rubble, and Kyrre, and his nephews Glen (Joy) Hacker, Dwayne (Ronnie) Hacker, and Darryl (Pat) Hacker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bridget Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 9 a.m. with the Very Reverend Father William P. Saucier serving as Celebrant of the Mass. Interment will follow in the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 5-8 p.m., with the Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604, or to your favorite charity. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
