Robert was born on August 5, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1968 and Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine on June 5, 1973.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. and Zackie H. Okin, and his sister, Zackie Sue Okin Groves.
He is survived by his sister, Janet Okin Collar (Jack) of Birmingham, Alabama, his long-time close friend, Judy Perry (Don) of Dallas, Texas, his son, Alan Adelberg and grandsons, Jackson and Xander of Alabaster, Alabama, his daughter, Stefanie Adelberg, and granddaughter, Jalyn of Chelsea, Alabama, his niece, Michelle Arbogast (Ty) of Odenville, Alabama, and great niece, Sarah Lopez (Anthony) of Fultondale, Alabama, his nephew, Jeff Bramlett (Carri), of Lebanon, Oregon, and a host of family and friends.
He established the Valleydale Animal Clinic in 1976, where he practiced until 2009. He was Board Certified in Small Animal Medicine. He most recently practiced at the All Creatures Pet Hospital in Gardendale with Dr. Ted Hankes and the Forestdale Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Bill DeWitt.
Dr. Bob was a man of faith who showed kindness and compassion to both the pets he treated as well as their owners. A world-class veterinarian, he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the community.
Special thanks to Brenda DeWitt, his loving best friend and faithful caregiver, whom he referred to as his “angel”. Due to her faithful caregiving, she helped “Dooley” defy the odds of his illness and gave quality of life to his final days. The family will always be grateful to her and the memories she helped to make happen.
The family will receive friends at the Johns-Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. on October 27, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. and burial at Elmwood Cemetery. The Reverend Ed Sims, officiating. If you are unable to attend, your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated.
Honorary Pallbearers are Alan Adelberg, Jackson Adelberg, Xander Adelberg, Bill Allen, Jack Collar, Dennis Collar, Richard Derecki, Jake Derecki, Bill DeWitt, Ted Hankes, Mel Martin, and Bill Strazewski.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the American Cancer Society, 1100 Ireland Way, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35205, Shelby County Humane Society, 381 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL 35051, or the charity of your choice.
