Robert Lipscomb

Robert A. "Bob" Lipscomb, 99, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, formerly of Blytheville, Arkansas, died Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at the home of a son.

He was born Feb. 23, 1916, and attended kindergarten on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. He graduated from Central High School in 1934, and from Southeast University in 1940 with a double major in music, and commerce and business. Later he pursued graduate studies in music and business from Northwestern University and the University of Colorado.

During World War II, he served in HQ Company and in the 140th Infantry Band, 35th Division.

He was a charter member of the Copper Dome Society at Southeast. In 2012 he was honored by his alma mater's alumni association with the Distinguished Service Award.

Bob was a retired orchestra conductor, band director, teacher, administrator and Realtor. He taught music and business in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas, and influenced the lives of thousands of students, many of whom maintained regular contact with him.

He and his wife, Mickey, moved to Blytheville in 1948. During his years as Blytheville High School band director, the band was selected as one of the Top 100 High School Bands in the United States.

While in Blytheville, he continued to serve his alma mater as a guest faculty member at Southeast summer band camps. He was a guest of the University of Southern California Music Department and Trojan Marching Band, where he lectured on band programs in smaller schools.

He served as the Arkansas auditions host for the New England Conservatory of Music, and also was a member of Phi Beta Mu national honor society for band directors.

Bob was active in Blytheville First United Methodist Church and a member of Pathfinders Sunday school class; Greater Blytheville Chamber of Commerce; city of Blytheville public service commissioner; Blytheville Country Club; and Rotary Club of Blytheville, which honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2009, he was recognized by District 6150 as the Rotarian with the longest period of Rotary service. Bob was an enthusiastic tennis player, avid reader and bridge player.

In his retirement, he and Mickey enjoyed travel and cruises throughout the United States and Europe. Not only did they consider travel fun, but they also viewed it as "continuing education." Whether it was the United States, Europe, the Caribbean or the Bahamas, you could always find a suitcase packed and ready to go.

He is survived by his daughters, Linda Lou Moore and husband Harry Truman Moore of Paragould, Arkansas, and Sarah "Sally" Blanz and husband Bob Blanz of Little Rock, Arkansas; and a son, Robert R. Lipscomb and wife Roseanne O'Brien Lipscomb of Jonesboro, who were his caregivers the last three years of his life.

He also is survived by three grandchildren, Robert Wesley Lipscomb of Little Rock, Ryan C. Lipscomb and wife Katie of Jonesboro and Raymie Rennels of Jonesboro; three great-grandchildren, Layten Rennels, Lyam Rennels and Kollin Lipscomb, all of Jonesboro; two brothers, Frank Lipscomb of Santa Maria, California, and Richard Lipscomb of Memphis, Tennessee; and a niece, Beverly Blue and husband Tom of Blytheville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, B.A. and Alma Lipscomb; a brother, Bill; a sister, Dorothy Cochran; and his beloved wife of 64 years, Alice Michie "Mickey" Lipscomb, who died Aug. 24, 2005.

The family will receive visitors from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robin Moore officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Blytheville.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Southeast Missouri University Foundation or Blytheville First United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at cobbfuneralhome.com.