Bert A. Mobley February 26, 1942 - December 21, 2023

Bert A. Mobley, Jr. passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023. He was born on February 26, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan to Bert, Sr. and Martha (nee: Stewart) Mobley, who preceded him in death. Bert is survived by his devoted wife, Carole; son, Daniel and his wife, Wendy (Oklahoma City) and their children, Jadyn, Alex, and Malachi; son, Stephen and his wife, Amy (Bluffton, SC) and their children, Stephanie, Stetson, Gideon, and Simeon; sister, Loretta and Dick Moore (Colora, MD), and sister-in-law, Linda and Bruce Raines (Center Valley, PA).

A scholar par excellence, Bert initially attended undergraduate at Vanderbilt University, but after his freshman year opted to complete a liberal arts program at Eastern Nazarene College and left with a degree in physics and a wife for the next 58 years. Bert then matriculated to the University of Chicago and earned a doctorate in physiology, subsequently completing post-doctoral work at the National Institutes of Health and the University of California Los Angeles. Years later, Bert completed an MBA at the University of Oklahoma. An avid learner, Bert also took courses at Boston University, the University of Michigan, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Oklahoma City University, and George Washington University.

Bert applied this academic knowledge conducting scientific research and teaching physiology at the medical schools of Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) for four years and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for 31 years, prior to retiring. Bert amassed a collection of baseball caps from each of these institutions and in retirement wore a different one everyday, reflecting on the more than 35 years of academic pursuits.

Most importantly, Bert was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. One of his first memories was that of his mother walking him to Vacation Bible School. Led as a child, Bert continued to faithfully attend church throughout his life and led his family in Christian faith and practice. Bert was a known student of the Word of God and a dedicated reader of theological works across the Protestant gamut. Conversations with Bert would often reflect that learning, as he would engage in questioning others and offering his keen spiritual insights. Yet perhaps the greatest evidence of Bert’s devotion to faith in Christ was the way he behaved in response to the salvation of his soul. Carole said it best, and knew better than anyone, that Bert was the same in public as he was behind closed doors! A man of integrity walking in the Way!

Several years ago, Bert was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a neurological condition similar to Parkinson’s, but more aggressive. Over the course of the disease, the independent brilliant mind became dependent on others for the basic functions of daily life. This highly responsible and respectable man was now incapable of engaging intellectually as he had done so often and so well. However, what this trial revealed was something beautiful. Not bitterness or anger, but thankfulness, appreciation, and love, especially to those entrusted with his care. To express such verbally was a laborious undertaking, but he would not, and did not, shy from doing so, in some cases with a whisper, and often simply with a beautiful smile, delighted with the mere presence of the intended recipient. It would seem that Bert believed the wisdom of Paul (Romans 8:18) that we should “consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This past Thursday morning, Bert fully realized that glory.

For all these reasons and more, our beloved husband, brother, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and grandfather will be missed. We look forward to a happy reunion with him and with our Lord.

There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Buchanan Funeral Service, at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance (oklahomapa.org) 720 W. Wilshire Blvd, Suite 109, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 in Bert’s name.