DeWayne J. “Tobe” Tobias, was born on August 9, 1937 to Merril & Alvina Tobias in Madison, Minnesota. He graduated from Farmington High School in Farmington, MN in 1955.
He joined the United States Navy to see the world and served honorably until 1958. His rank was PO@ Radioman and he loved telling stories about his travels. He attended Naval Cryptography school in Norfolk, VA and Washington, DC and was trained in Top secret work. He was later sent to Whidbey Island Naval Aviation Base in Washington. He was then assigned to the USS Princeton and sailed to Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore & Colombo, Ceylon. In 1958 he began college at Winona State University where he earned his BS Degree and graduated in 1962. It was also at this time that he met Jan, who was destined to become the love of his life and wife of 50 years. They were married in Belmond, Iowa following college graduation and headed to California to start their life together.
Tobe began his teaching career in California where he taught Jr. High/High School Science in San Bernardino for 10 years. While teaching, he earned his Masters Degree in Education Administration from Los Angeles State University. In 1973 he accepted an administrator’s position with Monte Vista High School in San Ramon as Dean of Students where he remained until he accepted a position as Superintendent of Schools in Maxwell, CA.
In 1980 he worked as Director of Curriculum in Benicia. In 1982 he left education to begin a career in management with Lockheed Martin Corp. in Sunnyvale. He retired from there in 2003. He loved his engineering/management work with classified aerospace programs.
He loved flying. He held both a commercial pilot and private pilot license. He was a former soccer referee and coach and served on the Soccer Board of Directors. In their retirement, Tobe & Jan traveled throughout our country and saw many parts of the world. They loved spending quality time with their children and grandchildren, and many good friends. He loved “chasing the pill” on numerous golf courses throughout the Bay Area with his beloved wife and friends who shared his passion for a perfect par or the occasional celebrated birdie! He enjoyed the “ROMEO” breakfast club, bocce ball, reading, playing bridge, and crusing in his beloved Corvette. He was taken from us too quickly, too soon, and will be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Vigil services will be held 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia followed by a reception at the Benicia Yacht Club. Visitation will be at the mortuary after 4:00 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the American Heart Association or St. Dominic’s Catholic Church.
