Robert Edward Dawdy 1942-2013

DAWDY, GREEN, HUDSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/5/2013 at 11:41:44

Sioux City Journal
25 January 2013

SERGEANT BLUFF | Master Guitarist, Robert E. "Bob" Dawdy, 70, of Sergeant Bluff died Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at his residence surrounded by his family and friends.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Community United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff, with the Rev. Deborah Stowers officiating. Burial to be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service. Online condolences can be sent to www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Robert Edward Dawdy was born in Fort Snelling, Minn., on Dec. 16, 1942, the son of Richard and Mary (Green) Dawdy. The family moved to Sioux City in the late 1940s. Bob was a self-taught musician, who started playing at age 4.

In 1958, at the age of 15, Bob became lead guitarist for The Screamers. They later changed their name to The Velaires made up of Bob Dawdy, Dan Matousek, Jerry DeMers and Don Bourret. During 1961, they performed on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and in 1963, they performed with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. The Velaires were inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. In April 2013, the Velaires will be inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bob was married to Pat Hudson. They had two children, Bob Jr. and Lisa. He later was married to Penny Grote with whom he had two stepchildren, Mark and Mike.

Bob performed concerts for many benefits, especially those for missing and exploited children. He shared his gift of music with anyone wishing to listen and/or learn. Bob taught thousands of people to play the guitar and other instruments. He taught at Flood Music, Midbell Music and from home. Some of his students went on to study music at Berklee in Boston. Bob was celebrated for his lifetime of music at The Chesterfield last year which was also his last public performance. Following this performance, he fulfilled his lifetime dream of attending the 55th Annual Monterey Jazz Fest along with his son, Bobby Jr.

Bob is survived by his son, Robert E. "Bob" Dawdy Jr, and his significant other, Sherry Jordan; son-in-law, Jeff Fylstra; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Amber (Nick) Hogan, Natalie and Nathan; four great-grandchildren; his stepsons, Mark and Mike Grote; two brothers, Daniel Dawdy and Allan (Deb) Dawdy; and three sisters, Penny Engel, Janice (Ron) Sindelar and Lori Potts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Dawdy; and his daughter, Lisa Fylstra in November 2012.

Pallbearers will be Don Bourret, Mike King, Gene Ambroson, Dave Napier, Denny Wurster, Benny Barnes, Ron Johnson and Bill Palchat.