Jeff was born in Xenia, Ohio to Richard and Bernice (Ferris) Dobbek on June 18, 1956. He was an only child, although his mother came from a family of seven, so was blessed with many wonderful relatives.
Jeff attended Fairborn High School, where he developed an interest in wrestling. He also spent many hours at Wright-Patterson Airforce Base, where his father was employed. It was here that his passion for aviation was born. He was able to observe the recreation of the Wright Flyer, a significant event in aviation history.
After graduating, Jeff moved to southern California to attend Ambassador College, with the ambition of becoming a pastor. After two years, he had a change of course and transferred to California State University, Los Angeles to earn his bachelor’s degree in Math and Computer Science. During that time, Jeff interned with IBM Corporation in San Jose, and met his first wife, Marilyn Shamus. Upon graduation, he married Marilyn, accepted a position with IBM, and was blessed with his first daughter, Debra Renae.
Jeff went on to pursue his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University in San Jose. After separating from his first wife, he met Ingrid Foerster, his second wife of 30 years. Jeff and Ingrid were blessed with two more children – son, Jeffrey Joseph and daughter, Christina Lee.
Jeff enjoyed a successful 45-year career developing an expertise as a storage systems architect, first for IBM Corporation, then at Hitachi Global Storage Systems, and finally with Western Digital Corporation. Throughout that time, he developed lasting friendships with his many work colleagues, whom he greatly valued and respected. He eventually earned the title of Fellow in his field.
In his free time, Jeff’s greatest passions aside from family were tennis and flying. His pilot ratings included single and multi-engine pilot and instructor ratings, as well as seaplane and glider pilot certifications.
Jeff received many further blessings during his lifetime. Most importantly, Debi and husband Owen Fennern gave him three wonderful grandchildren – Evan Yves(16), Sadie Aveline (13), and his “mini-me”, Luke Gabriel (12). In the last few months, he saw Christina’s and Jeffrey’s engagements to their future life partners, Sandi Coghlan and Mitchell Sellers. And in May, he was able to remotely watch Christina graduate Magna Cum Laude in Accounting from Baylor University.
Jeff was diagnosed with non-Hodgekins lymphoma in early 2020, and was being treated at Stanford Hospital. After a long and brave fight, he was finally overcome by the disease.
In lieu of flowers, Jeff's family suggests donations be made to the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital,
https://supportlpch.org/ways-give.
