Robert “Bob” Dare, age 80

Robert “Bob” Dare

Robert James Dare, age 80, of Little Rock, AR passed away at UAMS on June 10, 2025 surrounded by his family and friends due to recently discovered multiple cancers. He is survived in death by his brother William G. Dare, wife of 57 years Donna Dare, grown children Christine Murley, William L. Dare, Charlene Garcia, Angeline Duvall, also his 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Bob was born at St. Vincent Infirmary on April 16, 1945 (fun fact he shared the exact same birthday as his wife, Donna). He grew up in Little Rock, AR where he graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1964. He joined the Navy just before his graduation and was shipped out to bootcamp a week following the graduation. Bob served in Vietnam.

He used his GI Bill to study law and accounting at UALR in 1971 but did not complete his studies, instead deciding to work with his hands. He was accepted into the Bricklayers apprentice program in May 1972, became a journeyman on July 7, 1975 and soon became a Master Bricklayer and Stonemason. He was very proud of his work and would often point out the buildings that he helped to build in the City of Little Rock and all over AR and TX. Bob and Donna met again, probably in church, and were married on July 8, 1967.

During his time in the Navy, he discovered and experienced other religions including studding Buddhism, but after he returned to the states, he fully embraced the Catholic religion that he was raised in. Bob became a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and served on the parish council as president at one time. He was often found in the gym playing basketball with the CYO youth and coached the parish girls softball team in 1992-93. He was a wonderful husband and father. He was very involved, coaching and showing up to all the events and activities in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Bob played the part of father figure to many others in the community, we often had the local kids from around the neighborhood at our house for cookouts, gathering or loading anyone in the van that wanted to spend the day at Lake Sylvia, he provided a safe place in his home for those that needed it. Bob was always there when you needed him, often going out of his way to help those in need whether he knew you or were a perfect stranger.

Bob was an avid sportsman, both hunting and fishing. He taught his children how to shoot with a pistol and a bow in their youth, along with gun safety and maintaining the weapons. He liked to spend whole days at the lake fishing or swimming. He loved music, especially a good harmony. He enjoyed all kinds of music, some of his favorite artists were: Joan Baez, the Carpenters, Captain and Tennille, Michael Jackson, Alabama, and John Denver.

We will miss this great man.