Dr. Robert “Bob” H. Dobberstein

August 5, 1942 – February 9, 2024

Dr. Robert “Bob” H. Dobberstein, 81, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at Country House Residence.

He was born August 5, 1942, in Carroll, IA to Bernard M. and Hilda Doberstein. When he was 4, he and his family moved to Lincoln, NE. At the age of 6, Bob’s father died of congestive heart failure at the age of 43. Bob graduated from Pius X High School in 1960 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 1965. He began to work on his master’s degree in Pharmacognosy and met his wife, Susan “Sue” Hermone, who was married December 23, 1967, at the Neuman Center on campus. Bob graduated from UNL in 1968, with his master’s degree. The couple then taught in Fairmont, NE for one year before moving to Storrs, CT where he got his PhD. After working at the school of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin doing research, he became a professor and taught at the University of Illinois in the school of pharmacy in Chicago. He later went into private business, working as President for Stevia Co. where he developed a natural method of extracting Stevia from plants and took the company public.

Bob was Vice President of Biosynergy Inc. and helped in developing medical aids like “Hemotemp”, which is used to monitor temperatures on blood bags, used on a space shuttle mission to the moon.

In 1988, Sue and Bob moved back to Lincoln, and he worked as a senior research scientist, helping to develop Theraflu and other over the counter products, retiring in 2002.

Bob enjoyed their “fur babies”, both cats and dogs, reading, antique hunting, and traveling to many locations in the U.S. especially Hawaii, and outside of the U.S. he enjoyed visiting Quebec, Canada, England, and Germany.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; nieces, Barbara Jean Fauver, of Winter Haven, FL, Lisa (James) Baird, of Fraser, CO, Dr. Ann Hermone, of Fremont, NE; nephew, Alan Christman, of Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law, George (Sylvia) Hermone, of Fremont, NE; sister-in-law, Sharon Hermone, of West Windsor, NJ; great nephew, Matheson Baird, of Fraser, CO; and many cousins and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bernard E. Dobberstein (who died at the age of 51, due to a massive coronary); niece, Janine Christman; brother-in-law, Ronald Hermone; two infant siblings, Dick and Joan; his beloved aunt, Rosella (Sally) Reiff; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Bob often told others that since his father, brother, and several of his uncles had passed at younger ages, due to heart trouble, once he passed 60, “it was all gravy”. The last things he remembered were his wedding date of December 23, 1967, and that he had been married for 56 years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Wyuka Funeral Home, Lincoln. An Inurnment will take place at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to The Cat House Donate Here or to the Food Bank of Lincoln Donate Here.