Obituary of Robert William Nabbe

Robert William Nabbe, age 95, of Lebanon, Tennessee died Sunday, May 31, 2015 after a long illness. Born in Newark, New Jersey on September 12, 1919 to Frederick Leo Nabbe and Edna Koelsch Nabbe, he was raised in Irvington, New Jersey, and in 1936 graduated from Frank H. Morrell High School. Drafted in 1941, Nabbe served in World War II in the Motor Center Detachment of the 2525th Service Unit, Military District of Washington where he chauffeured various officers including Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby, Generals Omar Bradley, Mark Clark, Leslie Groves, and future President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. In his 95th year, Pocahontas Press published a book, Brothers in War, The Nabbe Brothers telling the stories of Robert's and his brother Richard's experiences in the United States Army. Following his discharge from the Army on December 2, 1945, Nabbe attended Newark School of Industrial and Fine Arts on the GI Bill. After finishing the three-year program, he moved his family to St. Petersburg, Florida where he resided for many years, relocating to Tennessee after his retirement. During his long life, Nabbe worked many years as a sheet metal mechanic constructing large neon signs. Midlife he changed careers and became a successful real estate appraiser, a position he held until he retired. From age 79 through 94 Nabbe volunteered at the Roane County Medical Center in Harriman, Tennessee, where he manned the information desk and said he "pushed old people around in wheelchairs." Nabbe was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife of 65 years Marjorie Tobin Nabbe, his oldest daughter, Susan Nabbe Beeler, and his great granddaughter, Hannah Kathryn Davis. He is survived by two daughters, Melissa Nabbe Matusevich and Robin Nabbe Taylor, and five granddaughters—Woli Schantz, Rachael Davis, Jessica Gaulden, Erin Rheinscheld, and Emily Moheit—as well as fourteen great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We express special gratitude to Sandy Minor and Laura Swanson of Alive Hospice, and Nancy Boyd and Megan Jones who all offered loving care. A celebration of his life will be held at 1 pm at Davis Funeral Home in Harriman, Tennessee on June 20th 2015. As a veteran of World War II, Nabbe's remains will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Alive Hospice, Nashville or the Wilson County SCAN Program. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.