Memorial services for well known and respected Milwaukee civic and fraternal leader, Brother Dr. Fred D. Bobo, were held at a high mass Wednesday, January 14, 1976 at noon at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. Brother Bobo, a dentist and retired welfare and caseworker investigator, died at Veterans Hospital, in Tomah, Wisconsin, Thursday, January 8, where he had been hospitalized about a year. He was born March 2 1 , 1899, in Okolona, Mississippi. He graduated with honors from Summer High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was captain of the "greatest football team in Summer's history." He was awarded a Congressional appointment to West Point Military Academy. However, he chose to attend the University of Illinois where he graduated with honors, and later Marquette University Dental School in 1926. At the start of the depression, Brother Bobo joined the Milwaukee County Welfare Department. He retired in 1967 and was awarded the Governor's Special Award and the Milwaukee Service Award for 3 6 years of service to the State of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County. He practiced dentistry on evenings and week-ends. The double job helped him to pay for the education of his eight children, who studied for a total of 62 years beyond high school. His three sons became doctors. Brother Bobo was active in community affairs. He was vice-president of the Milwaukee County Museum Board of Trustees at his death. He was also a member of the Governor's Commission on Human Rights, the NAACP, Milwaukee Urban League, Boy Scouts, Cream City Medical Society, the American Legion, YMCA, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Dental Societies, and the Catholic Order of Forresters. Brother Bobo married the former Cecelia Phillips in 1 9 2 1 . They met two years earlier at an Alpha dance. In 1972, Brother and Mrs. Bobo received the Judge Arnold J. Cane Memorial Award from the State Council for Home and Family as a "State Tribute to the integrity and excellence of their family life." Brother Bobo was initiated at Tau Chapter in 1918. He was a charter member of Alpha Phi Chapter at Marquette University (May 4, 1923) the first chapter in Wisconsin. He was a moving force in the chartering of Gamma Epsilon Chapter the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1946. He was a charter member of Delta Chi Lambda Chapter, Milwaukee, 1949 serving several years as its first president. A familiar figure with his wife at general and regional conventions, Brother Bobo also was the first regional director of Wisconsin and its first life member. He has been cited by his brothers on numerous occasions. He was named Milwaukee's Alpha Man of the Year in 1968 (no one has been named since), and in 1971 when the General Convention met in Milwaukee, Brother Bobo was cited, by the general organization for meritorious service. His wife is affectionately referred to as "Sweetheart of Alpha Phi Alpha." The Sphinx / February 19 76
Brother (Dr.) Fred D. Bobo The fraternity rites were held as a part of the mass. Fellow dentist and charter member of Delta Chi Lambda, Brother Peter C. Murrell, eloquently gave words of tribute for a loving life of service, Brother Veledis Carter movingly directed the singing of the hymns, and lyric tenor, Brother Louis I. Flowers was soloist. Brothers of Wisconsin formed a cardon for the processional and recessional. Brother Bobo's body was donated to the Wisconsin Medical College (formerly Marquette School of Medicine). Many memorial donations were made to the Delta Chi Lambda's Scholarship Fund at the family's request. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Brother Edward C. and Albert, both physicians of Encino, California; five daughters, Mrs. Delores Smyth and Mrs. Kathryn Sanders, both of Milwaukee, Mrs. Betty Seiden of Oakland, California, Mrs. Margaretta Goins of New York City and Mrs. Fredericka Seque of Detroit; and two sisters, Mrs. Melissa Brown, Tuskegee, Alabama, and Mrs. Betty Showers of Detroit, along with twenty-five grandchildren and one great grandson. Another son, Dr. Joseph Bobo joined Omega Chapter two years ago. Following the services, a luncheon was hosted by the family in the church hall. The fellowship lasted until late in the afternoon. An Alpha Giant who walked among us is now at Peace in the Jewel studded Omega Chapter.
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