Obituary of Bobby H. Loftis

LoftisBobby Dr. Bobby H. Loftis Dr. Bobby H. Loftis died on June 30, 2007 at United Hospital Center in Clarksburg, WV. He was born in Mt. Airy, North Carolina on July 8, 1929, the son of the late Robert and Ethyl Loftis, and was married to Bobbie Wray Loftis, who preceded him in death on October 29, 2000. Surving are two sons, Philip D. and Barbara Loftis of Buckhannon and Christopher H. and Sheryl Loftis of Virginia Beach, VA; two daughters, Elizabeth A. and Jeffrey Dumas of Wheeling, and Rebecca L. and Keith Foster of Fairmont. Two brothers, Jack Loftis of Mt. Airy, NC, and Dale Loftis of Winston-Salem, NC; and a sister, Wilma Arnder of Goldsboro, NC, also survive. His beloved grandchildren included Jessica Marie Hunter (of Asheville, NC), Catherine Loftis (Buckhannon), Daniel Bryan (New Martinsville, WV), Nicole Bryan (Fairmont), Benjamin and Nickolas Smith (Fairmont), and Tara, Trisha and Tyler Loftis (Virginia Beach, VA). He also delighted in his great-grandchildren Alejandro Lopez Maldonado and Jade Bryan, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents, and a granddaughter, Natalie Rose Bryan, also preceded him in death. At his request, there will be no public visitation. A memorial celebration of his life and music ministry will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, WV, at 11:00 AM, July 3, 2007. Interment of his ashes will be at Heavner Cemetary following cremation. Dr. Loftis attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, received his masters degree from the University of Florida at Gainsville, and his doctorate in music from West Virginia University. He was a veteran of the armed services, discharged honorably in 1962. He was a professor of music at West Virginia Wesleyan College from 1959 until his retirement in 1991. He served as chair of the Music Department at Wesleyan from 1971 until 1985. He was vice-president of the West Virginia College Music Educator’s Association. He also was a member of the West Virginia Music Teacher’s Association, and was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honorary. He received numerous awards for service from Wesleyan. It was his great joy to lead the music ministry of First United Methodist Church from 1959 until 1979 (as choir director) and 1979 to 2005 (as organist). During his tenure and retirement, he presented many musical programs for the church and for the United Methodist Women, who donated $10,000 in his honor towards renovation of the Rohrbough organ at Wesleyan. Dr. Loftis also lent his musical talents to various community activities, frequently providing music on short notice for funerals, weddings, and other events. He also accompanied many musicians and groups in performances at Wesleyan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the piano maintenance fund at First United Methodist Church, or to the Rohrbough organ repair fund at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Memorial Service Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 11 AM First United Methodist Church, Buckhannon, WV