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Thom Cobb
Thom Cobb
1951-2016
 
A message from NDEO President Rick Southerland
 
It is with the heaviest of hearts to share with you the sudden death of Thom Cobb. He was with his wife, Christine, at their home when he passed on Friday, December 2, 2016.

Thom has been a member of NDEO since 2002. He served two, three-year terms on the Board of Directors and was President 2013-2016. As president, Thom oversaw the restructuring of the NDEO governance, worked with the organization to get more states to offer teaching certification in dance, oversaw Task Forces that included the development of the Priorities for Dance Education, and provided both leadership and direction to the NDEO Board of Directors and NDEO Membership.

When elected Thom said, "I am very happy to serve in this position and give back to an organization that has given me, and my wife, so much," Cobb said. "It is also a logical extension of my 40-year career in dance and dance education. I am honored and humbled to serve in this position, especially to follow in the footsteps of the other past presidents whom I admire greatly."

Thom was Professor Emeritus at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, having retired in 2013 after 36 years with the institution. His contributions to dance teaching, research, and service has been acknowledge and recognized by Slippery Rock, NDEO, and NDA.

Thom's stories, cheer, and sense of humor will be missed. All my best to each of you during this time as we reflect on our wonderful memories of Thom and his exceptional contributions to NDEO and the field!

Regards,

Rick Southerland, MFA, MA
President, National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)
 

Remembering Thom

  • Celebration of Life: Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1:30 pm at the Courts of the Falling Waters clubhouse in Downers Grove, IL.
  • Memorial Service: January 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at the University Union at Slippery Rock University. For more information, click here.
  • The NDEO Thom Cobb Memorial Fund honors Thom's dedication to dance education and his service to NDEO. Click here to donate. The fund supports the Thom Cobb Memorial Scholarship.
  • Submit remembrances, messages, and photos with the dance community and Thom's family on his Facebook page. To watch a short video of Thom, click here.
Thom
 
Photos from top: Thom Cobb teaching at the 2010 NDEO Conference in Tempe, AZ; Thom leading a cake walk with Ann Hutchinson Guest at the 2012 NDEO Conference in Los Angeles, CA. Photos by Rose Eichenbaum.