Robert Pierre “Bobby” Theobald died Saturday morning, July 3, 2010, at River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg. He was 81.

Robert was born in Vicksburg on July 22, 1928.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Prigg Theobald; his son, Bruce Klein Theobald; his sister, Mary Beth Theobald Herzog; and his brother-in-law, Maurice Herzog.

After graduating from Carr Central High School, Mr. Theobald graduated cum laude from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, Tenn. He later was employed by Fisher Funeral Home.

On Jan. 7, 1950, he married Karleen Klein Davis. The couple moved to Fayette and started a cattle ranch.

On a trip to Vicksburg in 1953, Robert and Karleen arrived in the city a few hours before the deadly tornado of Dec. 5 leveled most of downtown Vicksburg. Robert worked non-stop in removing the dead and injured from beneath the collapsed roof of the Saenger Theatre. For his tireless efforts he was recognized with a certificate of appreciation from the City of Vicksburg.

In 1958, the Theobalds returned to Vicksburg. Robert became involved in the automobile business, owning and managing several service stations and automobile dealerships. During his business career, he was an active member of the Vicksburg Junior Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1961. In the early 1960s he also represented the City of Vicksburg as sponsor of the Miss Mississippi Pageant.

In 1988, Mr. and Mrs. Theobald moved to the Eagle Lake community. In addition to owning the local grocery/service store, Robert served as unofficial caretaker of the Eagle Lake Methodist Church, making sure everything was in order for the Sunday morning worship service.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Sherry Alene Theobald Smith and her husband, Winfrey Haden Smith, of Brandon; two sons, Robert Davis Theobald of Washington, D.C., and Gregory Pierre Theobald and his wife, Deborah, of Eighty Four, Pa.; his brother, David Theobald and his wife Barbara, of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren, Shane Smith, Ashley Theobald, Lindsey Theobald, Adam Theobald, Christopher Theobald, Selena Bullard and Christi Dyess; six great-grandchildren, Mari Miller Theobald, Adri Bullard, Amelia Bullard, Brie Dyess, Jackson Klein Dickerson and Addison Blair Dyess; and his daughter-in-law, Dette Theobald Vedros of Vicksburg.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Barbara Hite, pastor of Eagle Lake United Methodist church, officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. Tuesday until the hour of the service. Memorials may be made to the Memorial and Honor Program, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and to Paws Rescue, P.O. Box 13, Redwood, MS 39156.