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Obituary for Robert Dale Dock

Robert Dale Dock was born to Robert L. and Mary (Mustain) Dock in Malden, MO, on September 9, 1947. Bob is survived by his two children from his marriage to Lynelle Dock, Jana and Ryan, his three brothers, Ervin (Sandra), Morris (Becky), and Paul (Angela), all in the Springfield area, as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and one great-great-nephew. Bob is also survived by his close family friend, Alberta Smith, who he called “Sis,” and a step-sister, Cindy (Massey) Coburn.
Bob passed away on the evening of December 1, 2017, with his family by his side at the age of 70 after a four and a half year hard-fought battle with cancer. In the long run, he won the battle and is now celebrating with his Savior, free of all disease. Bob was a member of South Gate Baptist Church at the time of his death and was a charter member of South Haven Baptist Church. His parents, Robert L. and Mary, along with Mary’s husband following Robert L.’s death, William (Bill) Massey, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, preceded him in death.
Bob was in construction his entire life. In 1968, he and his father started Robert Dock Construction Company and moved into general contracting. They have operated as a construction company ever since. In 1982, Bob and his brother Paul purchased the business from their parents so they could retire. The company name was changed to Dock Brothers Construction Company at that time and continues to operate under that name today. Bob was semi-retired for the last eight years of his life but operated a retail sales company, Increte of the Ozarks, from the time of his semi-retirement until his death.
Bob was a 39-gallon contributor to American Red Cross Apheresis Program and donated blood, platelets, and plasma as often as he could for many years until his illness. He was associated with Boy Scouts of America for much of 60 years after starting as a Scout himself at the age of 8 and held many Council and District positions. He was Wood Badge trained and served locally as Wood Badge Coordinator. He was a Medicine Man in the Honor Camping Program at Camp Arrowhead, The Tribe of Lone Bear. Bob served for a time on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Contractors Association and was an ordained deacon for many years. Bob also served for a time as a Shrine clown for International Shrine Clown Association and was honored Clown of the Year in 1980.
Bob’s hobbies and leisure time were spent as much as possible on the lake fishing and in the woods chasing turkey and deer. He loved the outdoors and anything to do with being outside. Bob spent many years playing softball with church teams and traveled on at least 15 church building mission trips with South Haven Baptist Church, including many trips to Georgia, Montana, Ohio, Missouri, and one memorable trip to Brazil.
Bob will be remembered by children all over the Springfield area as the “candy man” at church. He felt it was important for kids to learn proper handshakes and encouraged them to shake his hand as they entered church each week by slipping them a piece of candy (usually a Tootsie Roll) during the handshake exchange. He was also impactful in the lives of many local Boy Scouts, especially as they achieved the Eagle Scout honor, and for his love of everything owls, which started while active with Boy Scouts of America. Most of all, Bob will be remembered for his funny sense of humor and selfless acts of service and love to his friends and family. Bob’s final gift to others is that of his corneas through the Saving Sight organization.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to many of Bob’s friends and caregivers, including Barry and Kathy Shockley, Opal Hurley, Chuck Williams, Vernon Baker, Frank Carlile, Vernor Stark, Roddy Thurman, John Black, Gene Hartley, Darrell and Sharon Reeds, Todd Anderson, Steve Mattison, Keith Harp, Jim and Wanda Evans, Jim Schurke, Roger Marguson, Derick and Cindy Mickan, Dwight Samuel, Jack, Melissa, and Chloe Spake, Betty Barns, Darrel Hathcock, Skylar Priest, staff at Springfield Rehabilitation and Health Care (especially Amy and Nurse Porter), staff on 3E at Cox South Hospital (Sherrie, Abby, Katie, Cole, Sarah, Oncology NP Christine (thank you for adding humor), and ALL the others), staff at Hospice Compassus, and so many others. Bob also received excellent care at Oncology and Hematology Associates in Springfield and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
Visitation will be held at South Gate Baptist Church on Tuesday evening, December 5, from 6:00 to 8:00. Funeral will also be held at South Gate Baptist Wednesday, December 6, at 2:00, with Pastor John Black officiating. Interment will be held at White Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory can be made to South Gate Baptist Church Building Debt Fund or the Gideon Bible Society.

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