Robert John Dubord

In Memory OfROBERT J. "Bob" or "Frenchie" DUBORDRobert John ("Bob" or "Frenchie") Dubord, of Friend, died suddenly August 24, 2005 at the Veterans Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 69 years, 6 months and 21 days. He was born February 3, 1936 at Escanaba, MI to George and Matilda (Norton) Dubord, the 2nd child of four children. As a young boy he attended elementary school in Escanaba and for a short time lived in Marquette, MI. As soon as he was 17 in 1953, Bob enlisted in the US Navy. He served in the Pacific as well as in Europe. Bob served on the USS Columbus and the USS Bonhomme Richards. During the time he was in the service, he was united in marriage to Helen Byrd and to this union two children, Carol Ann and Rick Robert were born. During the early years of his marriage they made their home in San Diego where Robert was a "storekeeper" for the US Navy and in 1965, Bob was privileged to attend sub-mariner school. He then served on the USS Tecumseh during Vietnam. Bob retired in June of 1975, with his last tour of duty in Italy, serving as the liason for new enlistees. During the 1970's Robert was united in marriage to Jeanne Baer in York, NE.Upon his retirement Robert moved to Lincoln where he worked in real estate selling commercial properties and homes. He was always an entrepreneur and owned and operated many businesses, often with various friends as partners. He started "Ludwigs Restaurant" in York where he met Marcia Serreyn. They were united in marriage in Gladstone, MI on December 27, 1980 and Robert was blessed with three more daughters. Together he and Marcia made their home in Escanaba, MI where he worked as a broker for ERA Realty. During this time, he and Marcia attended auctioneering school in Arkansas and began their own auctioneering company "D & D Auctioneers". They later moved to Oklahoma to be near Robert's older children and both Robert and Marcia worked at the State Prison, built a convenience store called "R & B Jiffy Stop" in McAlester and started "DuSo Shows" a small carnival operation which traveled with United Shows. When he quit traveling as a carnival, he started a theme park in Oklahoma. Later, as he was driving to York from Lincoln, detouring along Highway 6, he stopped at the convenience store in Friend, picked up a newspaper and liking Friend, he moved his family to Friend in 1990. He continued working as a broker out of Lincoln and also for Norm Green Realty in York. He purchased and rehabilitated a bar in Lincoln. Bob dabbled in lots of little things, attending flea markets, purchasing items in Mexico which he took to various venues to sell. In his spare time he enjoyed reading, especially histories, and if he didn't have anything special, he would pick up an encyclopedia to read. Bob also wrote a book "13 Buttons" a novel about his life experiences. He loved all foods, especially those that Marcia baked. Bob loved to travel, especially when he could be near the ocean. He loved being around people, liked everyone, never judging anyone, and always seeing the good side of everyone. Robert was a life-long member of the American Legion and VFW. He currently was a member of the American Legion Ford-Banka Post #183, Friend and VFW #4959, Crete. He also was a member of Solomon Lodge AF&AM in Krebs, OK. Robert was instrumental in working on the refurbishing of the Opera House in Friend.Robert is survived by his wife, Marcia Dubord, Friend, daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Steve Markham, Friend, son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Margie Dubord, Friend, daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Keith Olson, Friend, Heather and Wade Jensen, Jacksonville, NC, Heidi and Scott Smith, Lincoln, 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Doris Dubord, Bill and Sharon Dubord, sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Wayne Jacques, all of Escanaba, MI, Lynn and Bob Johnson, Lillian AL, and a special brother/Uncle and Aunt Jim and Jean Dubord, Escanaba, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary and Terri Kircher, Endicott, NY, Rex and Patti Kircher, York, NE, Gloria Stett, York, NE, many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, 2 grandchildren, Chelsea Schluter and Jerred Jensen.