Robert Dolle

Robert "Bob" Edwin Dolle, 91, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center, with his family by his side.

He was born Aug. 31, 1930, in Cape Girardeau to Luther and Flora Johnson Dolle and was a lifelong resident here.

Bob developed an interest in music early, was self-taught and played entirely by ear. He started playing music professionally on the weekends at age 14 and continued playing in the Cape Girardeau area in various dance bands and types of music to the present. By many, he was considered a Musician's Musician.

He and Virginia Ruth Seabaugh were married Sept. 24, 1950, at Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville, Missouri. They recently celebrated 71 wonderful years together.

Bob served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged.

His work history included employment at the Firestone store, local Falstaff distribution and truck freight deliveries with Tucker, Inman and Elfrink Truck Lines, where he retired from in 1993.

In 1963, he was a founding member of the Capaha Antique Car Club and served in various positions, including president. For more than 60 years, he personally owned, restored, maintained and showed six different vintage cars, winning numerous trophies.

Also, over the last 60 years, Bob was active in motor boating, owning several over that time. Many family memories were made with vacations and weekends spent boating, water skiing and fishing.

In the early 70s, he became interested in motorhomes and has owned various ones through the years. That led to his and Virginia's desire to travel including visits to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, Caribbean cruises and various European destinations. They also spent three months annually of the last 27 years as "Winter Texans," which is where he was introduced to Western Swing music.

His talents and commitment to Western Swing music have earned him the honor of being elected into four Hall of Fames, including ones in Texas, Washington, Oklahoma and California. In addition, he is the regional director for Missouri for the Western Swing Music Society. He and Virginia have also hosted a Western Swing Showcase for Missouri in Cape Girardeau for the last 16 years. His passion for this music and keeping it alive was demonstrated in his strong support of youth through the Western Swing scholarship program.

Bob was a member of the Elks Club, American Legion, SEMO District Fair Board, Redhawks Camping Club and Mid-Mo Camping Club. He continued playing music regularly at the veterans and nursing homes, local dances and as a guest artist at both the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Municipal Band summer concerts. Within his family and friends, he was known for his excellent down-home cooking.

In May of this year, he was honored by the City of Cape Girardeau with the Outstanding Promotion and Preservation Award of providing the art form of "Western Swing Music."

He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The essence of Bob can be summarized as follows: grew up with modest means, exceptional commitment to his wife and family, hardworking, life-long learner, exceptional memory, outgoing personality, greeted you with a smile, positive approach, very particular to detail, continual desire for improvement, always available to help you, and serving God and his country.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Dolle of Cape Girardeau; a son, Gary (Patti) Dolle of St. Louis; a daughter, Sherri (David) Owens of Bonita Springs, Florida; a sister, Ruth Ann (Robert) Rauscher of Phoenix; grandchildren, Kristopher (Kelly) Dolle of Imperial, Missouri; Rebecca (Steve) Solovic of Wildwood, Missouri, Caleb Owens of St. Louis and Clayton Owens of St. Louis; great grandchildren, Ella Dolle of Wildwood, Luke Solovic, Avery Solovic, Jack Solovic of Wildwood, Benjamin Dolle of Imperial and Dawson Owens of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Dolle; and sister, Dorothy Krueger Points.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Dehne officiating and assisted by Vicar Tim Koehler.

Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Scholarship Memorial at P.O. Box 916, Jacksboro, TX 76458 or St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.