02/03/2021
We mourn the passing of our friend and colleague, Kathleen A. Bobbitt, who died January 30, 2021 after a long illness. Kathy was a Wagner College alumna, earning her B.S.'76 and M.S.'78 degrees on Grymes Hill before going on to St. John’s for her PhD.
She joined the Department of Biological Sciences in 1981 and taught generations of students in biology and microbiology.
As Associate Professor of Microbiology, Kathy was beloved by her students, colleagues, her "biological" family and friends at Trinity Lutheran Church. Despite her health challenges, Kathy looked forward to returning to Wagner and her students.
One student said that Kathy was “one of the smartest professors I've ever met,” saying that “she is also accessible and is always willing to help.”
Julia Mullins:
"We say goodbye to the greatest professor to have ever lived. Kathleen A. Bobbitt was more than just my microbiology professor. SHE IS THE REASON that I am the microbiologist/teacher/person I am today. She was my professor, mentor, thesis chair, research leader, therapist, cheerleader, coworker and friend. Long after graduation, I would go sit in her office and we would laugh about how students change over the years, the newest microbiology innovations, the craziness going on in the world, life, everything. She was such a special woman and her loss will leave the most gaping hole at Wagner, as well as in my life. My heart is completely broken. There is no Wagner without Mama Bobbitt. My heart breaks for the students that will never have the honor of sitting in her classroom and learning from the absolute BEST."
Ammini Moorthy, Professor Emeritus:
"Sorry to hear Kathy is no more .My heartfelt condolences to all her students and my colleagues in the Biological Sciences Department. She went to Wagner as an undergraduate and later joined Wagner Microbiology Department as a lab coordinator for microbiology. Later she went on to get her PhD and became a faculty. When I joined Wagner as a professor, she was already there. Her deep concern for the welfare of her students and her deep knowledge of the subject matter, her willingness to work for the overall good of the department, her empathy and concern for all her students made her a very unique establishment. All of us will miss her. May her soul rest in peace and may God give the department the strength and courage to carry on without her."
Laurence Nolan, Professor of Psychology:
"Hi everyone- was very sad to hear about Kathy. While I did not work with her often in recent years, I did get to know her a bit when I was a newbie and she, Don and I were working on hosting Wagner's first ECSC meeting. She cracked me up while we spent many hours getting all the tedious pre-meeting tasks done and afterwards she always had a funny comment and a hello when I would see her on campus."
Kim Joho, Adjunct Professor:
"I had the good fortune and was very blessed to also be one of Kathy's students when I was in Graduate School. Kathy was going for her PhD at St. John's while teaching at Wagner. I may have been in one of her first classes as she was only 3 years older than me. I do not remember the exact year but it would have been 1980 to 1982 so we go way back. I absolutely loved her as a Professor. My sister majored in Nursing and also had Kathy and loved her too. I graduated with her late brother who passed away shortly after graduation. Her students loved her dearly. Kathy would teach Micro 200 and I followed with Pathology. I always tried to reinforce all she taught in MI200 and incorporate Infectious Diseases as we went through the body sites in Pathology. She was a magnificent professor and a wonderful and sweet person. My sister and I are so very saddened. Funny, I never could address her as Kathy when I became an adjunct as I always saw her and respected her as my professor. She has enriched us with so much of her knowledge. Sitting in her class was a constant flow of knowledge that she made so very interesting and effortless. My love and thoughts are with you all."
Lisamarie Alba, Adjunct Professor:
"Kathy had numerous interests beyond Microbiology. Her musical interests were many. Kathy learned to play the guitar, taking lessons from Ed Browne at Wagner, and eventually joining the Guitar and Lute Ensemble (GLE) at Wagner. She was so determined to learn the guitar after she finished her PhD. When she joined the GLE and I attended a concert, I always teased her about the "look" all of them got on their faces when they were playing. Ed and I had a long conversation about the GLE, her work with the vocal choir and the handbell choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, and all of the times they played together at the church and for other events."
Christopher Corbo '06, M'08, Associate Professor and Department Chair:
"I have known Kathy for almost 20 years. I was fortunate enough to have Kathy both as a professor and a colleague. This is a great loss for Wagner College and I, along with the rest of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Wagner College, will miss her dearly."
The Department of Biological Sciences will have a Tribute to Dr. Bobbitt in the fall, so we hopefully can share our love in person. Thank you Kathy, for being a steadfast and caring member of our department for so many years. You will always be in our hearts. Until we meet again.
