Robert A. Lipscomb

Robert A. "Bob" Lipscomb of Jonesboro, formerly of Blytheville, died at the home of his son on July 28, 2015, at the age of 99. Bob was born February 23, 1916, and attended kindergarten on the Southeast Missouri State College campus. He graduated from Cape Central High School in 1934 and graduated from Southeast Missouri State College 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 Cooper Dome Society at Southeast Missouri State University. 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, his 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 was also a member of Phi Beta Mu national honor society for band directors. While in Blytheville, Lipscomb was active in the Blytheville First United Methodist Church; and a member of the Pathfinders Sunday school class. In the Greater Blytheville Chamber of Commerce; as a City of Blytheville Public Service Commissioner; in the Blytheville Country Club; and in the 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 his late wife, 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 her husband, Harry Truman Moore of Paragould; Sarah (Sally) Blanz and her husband, Bob Blanz of Little Rock; and his son, Robert R. Lipscomb and his wife, Roseanne O'Brien Lipscomb of Jonesboro, who were his caregivers the last three years of his life. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Robert Wesley Lipscomb, of Little Rock, Ryan C. Lipscomb and his wife, Katie, of Jonesboro; and Raymie Rennels of Jonesboro, and great-grandchildren, Layten Rennels, Lyam Rennels and Kollin Lipscomb, all of Jonesboro; his brother, Frank Lipscomb of Santa Maria, Calif.; his brother, Richard Lipscomb, of Memphis, Tenn.; and his niece, Beverly Blue and her husband, Tom of Blytheville. He was preceded in death by his parents, B.A. and Alma Lipscomb; his brother, Bill; his sister, Dorothy Cochran; and his beloved wife of 64 years, Alice Michie "Mickey" Lipscomb, who died August 24, 2005. Funeral services will be held at the Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville on Saturday, August 1, 2015. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1 p.m., with the service to follow at 2 p.m. The Rev. Robin Moore will officiate. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Blytheville. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation or the Blytheville First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family on line at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.