Condolence: Ted mentored me for five summers in a row at NYMA's summer camp in the 80's. He was a significant figure in my life and I learned much from him and admired him greatly. As well he made me laugh constantly. They do not make them like him anymore. He will be missed.

Condolence: It seems that there are iconic figures in our lives who become the foundation for who and what we become. Col. Dobias is absolutely the definition of such a figure for me. He represents the greatest things our Country has to offer, and I am privileged to have learned the meaning of service and patriotism from him.

Now more than ever we need strong leadership to guide us...anyone who has stood in Col. Dobias' shadow knows we are obligated to take the best of what we learned and apply it for the sake of future generations. Thank you for showing me the importance of hard work and personal integrity.

Condolence: I am so sorry for the troops of cadets or faculty members that have not and will not have Dobie in their lives. His memory will stay with us all.
Love to Shirley and your family. Our hearts are with you.

Condolence: To the Dobias Family from Hilton Perez, NYMA '67:
I was so sadden to learn of the passing of the "Maj"and have so many fond memories of him during my three years at NYMA. When I came to NYMA as a sophomore it was the "Maj" who introduced me to football and I had the good fortune of playing both football and baseball for him. After NYMA I got an athletic scholarship and played football for 4 years at C.W.Post college in Long Island, NY and later on I played 1 year of Semi-Pro football. I then became a HS and College football official and after 42 seasons I just recently retired. I share this story because if it was not for the "Maj" in seeing some potential in me back in 1964 I probably would never have played football. The "Maj" was a tough but fair man and he always had the best interests of us Cadets at heart. We lost a good man on earth but heaven has gained a guardian who will continue to watch over us. God bless you "Maj" and rest in peace.

Condolence: I do believe that Maj Dobias and the military training I received prepared me for my military service, the draft and my tour in Vietnam.

Ralph w. Nelsen
1st Sergeant
Company C
Honor Guard
1963

Condolence: To the family of Major theodore Dobias:
I doubt any of you would remember me. i graduated from NYMA WAY BACK IN 1963. For my first two years at NYMA, (1959, 1960), i lived in Wright Hall and sat with Major Dobias in the mess hall, so I had an opportunity to interact with him on a daily basis. We exchanged many wonderful experiences as we shared life over those two years. However, I must state honestly that perhaps the most memorable thing Major Dobias did for me was actually done by his wife, Shirley. I was raised in a very religious Jewish family, and one of the holidays we celebrated each year is Passover, the annual re-telling of the jews' exodus from slavery in Egypt. Observance of the holiday requires the consumption of food specially prepared, under strict rabbinical supervision. of course, none of this was available in the mess hall, and, by the seventh day of the holiday, i was very weak from not having my normal diet. i could barely stand, and forget about marching at all. I will never forget standing by my seat in the mess hall, when in came Shirley, with a home made egg nog that she prepared especially for me, in accordance with the dietary requirements, which i consumed instantaneously. To this day,approaching 60 years later, I still consider it perhaps the best thing I have ever consumed. I think often about her random act of kindness, and i am grateful to be able to express it here, although sad it must be in Major Dobias's obituary. i would attend his funeral, but in 2009, I suffered a stroke, and travel is difficult for me. I am now over seventy years old. i will forever be grateful to BOTH Major Dobias and his wife, Shirley, for their kindness all those decades ago. I will remember Major Dobias, and Shirley in my prayers, and ask God to comfort the whole Dobias family in this time of sadness. Respectfully, Roger Pearson( 203) 856-8000.

Condolence: Dobie was literally my second Dad, the only person that my father felt safe enough with to take me under his wing, week after week, year after year, as I grew from a small tyke to a young man. Growing up at NYMA allowed me the fortunate opportunity to have Dobie there to help guide me for so many, many years.

He was not only the one that guided me through my youth but was my close friend and "buddy" as well during my formative years.

Thank you Shirley for passing along my hug and kiss last week to our dear Dobie… May God bless you and all the family.

Godspeed "Uncle Ted"

Condolence: Maj was the heart and soul of NYMA and he never relented in his love for the school and the kids who attended it. Whether he was leading us in calisthenics before intramurals, telling us about his service in WWII when it was raining too hard to get us outside, or just throwing snowballs with us, he taught us loyalty and diligence... and don't step on the "G".

During the 1970s, he was the tac for the middle school, but his kids thought they could take on anybody in the upper companies.

We were all wealthier souls for knowing him. May the LORD bless his family during this time of loss.

Condolence: I came to NYMA in 7th grade, so obviously my first stop was G Company and Maj. He was a bit of an intimidating presence (although Mr. Wortmann took first prize) but in time (and I guess in retrospect) you understood his intentions - to make you a better person and be part of something bigger than yourself - a team. And once you got with "the program" and earned his trust Maj was a sweetheart of a guy, with a wry sense of humor and unconditional support.

Fast forward to 2003, when I returned to NYMA for 20th reunion. First off - he remembered who I was, which amazed me considering the thousands of cadets he encountered through his many years at NYMA. But what sticks with me to this day is he asked me to be the standard bearer for the Alumni Corps of Cadets during the parade ("I'm not worthy," I thought). As we were standing on the parade field he whispered to me "Revere - this is a special place and I know how much it means to you being back here." I was speechless. But in my mind I was transported back some 20 plus years and it made me smile to recall so many wonderful memories.

And just writing this note and recalling memories of Maj made me smile again. Thanks Maj. My condolences to the Dobias family and may God Bless this wonderful man.

Condolence: I am so sorry for your loss BUT so many of us CADETS carry so much of the "Maj" with us forever! I am glad to have bin able to visit with you all at our 50th. He will always be with me ! GOD BLESS & RIP