"I hope you will not get the impression that I have ,"gone bugs" over this family history business. The fact of the matter is t

The Bobbitt Family In America

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"I hope you will not get the impression that I have "gone bugs" over this family history business. The fact of the matter is that, like yourself and others, I have not given reasonable attention to such matters in the past. As you well know, they become more important to us as the years pass."

Robert Lee Bobbitt wrote lengthy, interesting letters. He followed all of his visits with people he met and admired with a letter. He kept copies of all of his letters and had his secretary make copies to forward to others who would be interested. He literally wrote thousands of letters with a warm and personable style.

Robert Lee was especially interested in the families of his brothers and sisters. He kept in contact by letters, phone calls, and attended all family reunions and gatherings on both sides of his family. He was especially close to his sisters, Sue McGregor and Billie Dalrymple. He was especially close to his brother, James F. Bobbitt, an Attorney in Houston, Texas.

In 1970, Robert Lee and his wife were having some health problems. Nothing serious, but they were being attentive to doctors orders. They did not make the trip to West Virginia to attend the Bobbitt reunion, and they were for the most part staying close to home.

On December 15, 1971, Elna Bobbitt, (Mrs. James F. Bobbitt) wrote to me,

"Dear Jack: All I have to tell you is bad news. Robert Lee's wife, Belle, had a massive stroke on Saturday (December 11, 1971) and died immediately. Jim and I left early Monday and attended the funeral at 3:00P.M. Robert Lee is very feeble, but took his loss better than we had expected. They have had Carmen, a Mexican man, who is a since 1932. He takes care of Robert Lee as well as a trained nurse. He is secretary, chauffeur, and a reliable "jack of all trades". He loves every one of the Bobbitts and will certainly see that R. L. has every thing he needs or wants."

The death of his wife, left Robert Lee somewhat drained of his energy and ambition. As is so often the case he had difficulty recovering from her death. He moved in January from the family home to the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio. He made visits to his sisters, Sue McGregor and Billie Dalrymple, but life was not the same.

On May 12, 1972, Robert Lee wrote to his niece and her husband, Reverend Leighton K. and Barbara Younger.

"Since Belle went away, I have been closely confined to my room here at the St. Anthony Hotel; and while I have many wonderful memories of days gone by, things do get disappointing as time rolls on."

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