Rutland, Vt. —
He was known to all as Bob and know by all for his “Sparkles”, was born on Nov. 18, 1923, in Decatur, Ill., the only child of Sylvis and Viola (Hoewing) Daubenspeck. An older brother, Claremont predeceased him.
Bob discovered early that he had an ability and interest in art and writing. He graduated high school in 1941 having an assistantship to the art teacher. He started college that year but with the start of WWII he joined the Navy. After an honorable discharge 3 ½ years later he finished his BA at Illinois Weslyan University but while there he became interested in theater, so he used the GI bill to apply and was accepted at Yale University where he received an MFA in Stage design and production.
Bob tried his hand at off-Broadway shows but discovered the culture didn’t suit him. He taught, and the did industrial design work for AMF. Finally, he decided to leave big city life behind and move to Vermont in 1962. In Vermont he was a times a self-employed commercial artist, a high school English teacher, art and drama teacher, a graphic artist for the Killington Ski area and finally the graphics production person for P&C Supermarkets from which he retired in 1989. In preparation for retirement Bob began teaching art history and figure drawing at the Community College of Vermont which he continued to do for the next 15 years. He also tutored students in English. After retiring from CCV to keep busy he still mentored occasionally, did portraits of people and pets for friends and wrote short poems that he called his “Sparkles.” He put together and self-published 10 booklets of the sparkles and always carried individual poems on slips of paper that he handed out to people he met everywhere.
Bob found the Society of Friends (Quakers) which he joined in the 1950’s. He became a member of the Hanover, N.H. meeting upon moving to Vermont and stayed a life-long member. Through it and through other methods and all interactions he had, he lived and promoted caring, sharing and love between all people. In addition, Bob never considered material wealth important. So long as he had what he needed to live, if he had something or could do something for someone in need he would gladly give it; he lived very simply.
Bob is survived by his son, Oscar, his wife, Cindy and their three children; his second son, Sylvis, his wife, Paula and their three children. His daughter, Elsa Bessent predeceased him; she had three children as well. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service at the Hanover Friends Meeting House at a later date.
Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Upper Valley Haven, 713 Hartford Ave. White River Jct, VT 05001.