Robert Walter Doty

Robert W. (“Bob”) Doty died on May 9, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida at the age of 76 after a long battle with MDS. Robert was born in Rochester, PA on September 19, 1942 to David and Iona Doty, Aliquippa, PA. He graduated from Aliquippa High School, Class of 1960; B.A. cum laude, Wheaton College, 1963; J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, earning The Archie B. Martin Memorial Scholarship; the Robert F. Jackson Memorial Scholarship; and the Founder’s Medal for graduating First in his law school class of 1966.

Robert was a civil litigation trial lawyer for more than four decades, representing clients throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. He was a partner at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Pittsburgh from 1966-1991; then a partner with Cohen & Grigsby, Pittsburgh, from 1991-2006. He was Solicitor of Crescent Township, PA for 40 years from 1969-2009.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and Supreme Court of Tennessee, the Wheaton Club, Fox Chapel Racquet Club, Beaver Lakes Country Club, Breckenridge Golf & Tennis Club, Estero, FL, and Estero at the Vines Country Club. He was on the President’s Council of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and served on many church Boards. Tennis, swimming, golf and traveling the world were his hobbies. He played on many tennis teams after retirement, and was known as “Bob Lob”. He was a lifelong sports fan, especially a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Robert was featured in Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in American Law; Who’s Who in the World; and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. He was a guest lecturer at many seminars and wrote legal articles for the Cohen & Grigsby Review and for the Pittsburgh Business Times. He received a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Award and Client Review Rating of “Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards” in 2014.

He wrote a brief history of his life when he served as a Master of Ceremonies for the Crestmont Alliance Church, Aliquippa, PA, Reunion several years ago and shared, “I am part of five generations of my family that have enjoyed a personal faith in Jesus Christ, and I regard Crestmont Alliance Church as the one institution on this earth that is most responsible for the foundation and growth of this faith.” He continued to practice his faith until he went to meet his Lord and Savior on May 9, 2019.

Robert is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 58 years, Joyce Shaffalo Doty, also of Aliquippa, Pa., now living in Estero, Florida. He is survived by two beloved daughters, Genie (Jamie) Mardis of Memphis, TN and Merrie Beth (Courtney) Day of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Surviving is his only brother, Bill (Linda) Doty of Denver, CO and Ft. Myers, FL. He is also survived by his four grandchildren; Cassie Gebhart, Haley Day, Steven Day and Matthew Hooker. He will be missed by family, friends, and neighbors at Breckenridge Golf & Tennis Club who enjoyed visiting with Bob while he walked his Cavalier King Charles dog, Oxford.