R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The mission of the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation is to support educational opportunities, improve access to health services, and promote environmental stewardship. The Foundation is committed to honoring the legacy of R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. through its work. The Foundation was established in 1959 as the Helen and Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation and was later renamed the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation. For nearly 40 years the Foundation operated as a small philanthropic vehicle for Mr. Dobb's interests. At the turn of the century, encouraged by his nephew and fellow trustee E. Cody Laird, Jr., Mr. Dobbs began to formalize the Foundation's governance and guidelines to prepare the way for a family philanthropy that would extend beyond his lifetime. Today, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation operates with the mission to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by supporting educational opportunities, improving access to health services, and promoting environmental stewardship. The Foundation is committed to honoring the life and impact of Mr. Dobbs through its work. ABOUT MR. DOBBS Howard Dobbs was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1906 and would call it home his entire life. After graduating from the Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy), he enrolled at Emory University in 1923. Two years later, he began a long and distinguished career with the Life Insurance Company of Georgia where he worked his way up from the clerical department to become President and CEO in 1950. He held that position for twenty years and in 1970, became Chairman of the Executive Committee until his retirement in 1976. Under Mr. Dobbs' innovative leadership, Life of Georgia prospered. Mr. Dobbs was deeply committed to the city where he lived and worked. His corporate board service included Southern Bell, Atlanta Gas Light, Trust Company Bank, and Rich's, Inc. His community service was extensive. He served as president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Atlanta Rotary Club; he also served on the Fulton County Board of Health, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Arthritis Foundation. Mr. Dobbs maintained a lifelong commitment to education and was a trustee of Emory University, Young Harris College, Agnes Scott College, and Woodward Academy. Much of his leisure time was spent enjoying nature. He and Helen, his wife of 48 years, loved the North Georgia countryside and shared their mountain retreat with countless friends and family members. He also loved the ocean and was known as a skilled boat captain who was always prepared for every contingency. Mr. Dobbs died on June 9, 2003, at the age of 97. He was a true Southern gentleman, exhibiting modesty and restraint in every aspect of his life. Even in times when he could have commanded the spotlight, he remained humble and forthright. He was a man of few words. His story is best told by the way he lived his live - with honesty, integrity, perseverance, and generosity of spirit.