Robert Bob Lee Dyer

Robert "Bob" Dyer, 67, of Gilbert, Ariz., passed away on October 27, 2013. Born in Tucson on June 12, 1946, Bob grew up in Benson, Ariz., working for the family business, playing baseball, devotedly following the Dodgers and playing the trumpet. His passion for music led to a music scholarship at New Mexico State where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Simon for a 2 years before returning home to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1966. Bob was honorably discharged from the Corps in 1969, after earning distinctions such as the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Campaign Medal.

Following his service, Bob went on to graduate from Arizona State University in 1972, and a few months later that same year married his true love, Kathy Mitchell of Yuma, Arizona. From there he embarked on a successful career in that culminated in his role as Vice President of Equities Marketing in New York City for Paine Webber before retiring. In their life together, Bob and Kathy traveled and lived across the globe with stints in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, London, Sao Paulo, and Tokyo, among others, before returning home to their beloved Arizona.

Bob was fond of telling stories from his trips through Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Asia while spending time with family and friends at his Gilbert home that was adorned with mementos from his travels and interests. An avid collector of Civil War memorabilia, Bob had a profound interest in Abraham Lincoln and amassed a beautiful collection of artwork, books and papers related to the former president. He was also painter and photographer who loved the desert, wildlife and rich colors.

Beyond his career and his interests in culture and history, Bob volunteered his time as a Big Brother, with Habitat for Humanity and the Business and the Arts program in the San Francisco area. He was also very close with his mother, Vera, and devoted much energy to caring for her in her later years.

Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Louis and Vera Dyer and brother David Dyer. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kathy, niece Michelle Eggleston and nephew David Wayne Dyer. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 1, at 10 a.m. at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ. Contributions may be made to the family's charity of choice, Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, at www.fanconi.org.