Robert Jess (“Bob”) Hobbs 1944-2025

Robert Jess  (“Bob”) Hobbs 1944-2025

Robert Jess  (“Bob”) Hobbs of Easthampton, MA, 81, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Monday, November 10, 2025 after living a very fulfilling and rich life, in spite of cognitive decline beginning in 2018.

Born in Kansas during WW II, the son of Caswell O and Marie B. Hobbs, Bob was raised largely in Summit, NJ. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Law School, Bob met his wife Jane (Patterson) at Vanderbilt in 1969. They were married in late 1970.  

After a 2-year stint in New Orleans, LA, the couple moved to Newton, MA, for Bob to work at National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). They lived there for 44 years and raised their children, Kate and Jenna.  In 2017 Jane and Bob moved to Easthampton, MA, to be closer to their first grandchild and to enjoy the bountiful nature and culture of the Pioneer Valley. Later twin grandchildren nearby and three more in California were added to this abundance. Bob was usually wearing a big smile around any and all of these grandchildren.

We celebrate Bob’s 45 years of legal work with colleagues. First, as an attorney with New Orleans Legal Assistance Corp. Then in 1972 he began work at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) in Boston, which has provided consumer protection legislation and litigation to  many citizens of this country. NCLC’s annual Hobbs Fellowship, launched in 2014 in honor of Bob, is awarded each summer to “a student who has demonstrated a commitment to consumer advocacy and the pursuit of a public interest career.”

Bob loved being outdoors and exercising his body. A collegiate swimmer, he spent many happy family vacations on Cape Cod and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  He instilled his love of nature in his children and they have amplified it with hiking many trails, backpacking, and swimming in New England and California waters. They now bring their own children to these joys of nature.

For many years a dedicated jogger, Bob was still walking daily until just weeks before his passing. Besides his lifelong dedication to his career, Bob’s family is so grateful for what his loving care–and his wry humor–meant to each of them and to their extended family, their community of college friends, and Newton and Easthampton neighbors, for his love for coaching youth soccer and basketball, and for continuing to being in the lives of their children’s friends. 

Bob leaves his loving wife of 55 years, Jane Hobbs, their children, Kate Hobbs (Anna Paskausky) of Easthampton, MA, and Jenna Hobbs (George Gerard) of Pleasanton, CA.  Bob is dearly missed by his six beloved grandchildren, Sebastian (12), Cedar (9), Xavier (8), Remy (5), Lark (5) and Ronan Robert (2).  He is also survived by older brother Caswell “Cas” Hobbs (Anne) of Alexandria, VA, sister-in-law Lynne Hobbs (late brother Bill) of Atlanta, GA area, Jane’s sister, Carole Knight (Michael) of Murfreesboro TN and Jane’s brother Patrick Patterson (Michael Gorman) of San Diego, CA, along with much loved nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.    

For Donations in his honor:

National Consumer Law Center, 7 Winthrop Sq., Boston MA  02110   https://www.nclc.org/in-memoriam-bob-hobbs-founding-father-of-consumer-law-community/

or 

Easthampton Community Center Food Bank - Food Distribution Center, 12 Clark St., Easthampton MA 01027   www.easthamptoncommunitycenter.org

Williamsburg Funeral Home in Haydenville was entrusted with his care.