Richard H. Hobbs Jr. ’60

As the wartime son of then Col. Richard Hobbs 1924, our Dick managed to attend eight schools on his way to Princeton. New Trier Township High School was his last stop on that way. With us, Dick joined Tower, majored in history, and was active in ROTC, where he was honored as Superior Cadet. When not on parade, he enjoyed bridge, golf, tennis, and swimming and prepared himself for his chosen career in advertising.

After two years active Army service (he served six more in the Reserve and retired as a captain in 1968), Dick joined Leo Burnett Co. in 1962 in Chicago. He became a specialist in media services and rose through the ranks to retire in 1996 as executive vice president and director of Burnett’s worldwide media services.

In retirement, Dick and his wife, Valerie, settled in Sarasota, Fla. There, he applied his media experience to serve as one of the founding partners of Starcom Worldwide. He also continued his lifelong love of fishing, especially for the fearsome muskellunge of northern waters.

Dick was active for many years in the Society of Colonial Wars and the Mayflower Society, as well as the Episcopal Church. 

Dick died Sept. 7, 2022. He is survived by Valerie, their three daughters, and seven grandchildren. The class extends its sympathy to them all.