Michael Dobbins, DC
February 16, 1951–December 3, 2013
Life Chiropractic College West is saddened to announce the sudden passing of our graduate, former faculty and friend, Michael Dobbins, DC.
Michael was born February 16, 1951 in Pontiac, Michigan. He graduated from Pontiac High School in 1969, attended the University of Maryland to study Vocal Music as a major and served in the United States Navy Nuclear Power Program as an Instructor/Nuclear Submarine Service from 1973 to 1978. Michael attended North Central Michigan Community College 1979 to 1980 to complete his chiropractic college prerequisite courses. Michael graduated with a doctor of chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West in 1987.
Michael served the profession and public with twenty-five years of private practice. During that time, he completed certification as an Industrial Disability Examiner and Qualified Medical Evaluator for California and served as an instructor for National Board Review program. Michael was also employed as a full-time faculty member of Life Chiropractic College West, 1992-1997 teaching Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal Diagnosis and Management, Activator Methods Technique (Basic and Advanced) and Philosophy. He was a National Seminar Instructor for Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique and a Supervisor for Industrial and Personal Injury cases at the Life Chiropractic College Public Clinic. As a long-time nutritional instructor for Standard Process, the Standard Process Excellence in Nutritional Education Scholarship bears Michael’s name.
Michael’s wife, Patricia (PJ), earned her doctor of chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West in 1997 and Michael’s son, Patrick, earned his doctor of chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West in 2008.
Michael became friends with many students of the early days of Life West who later became faculty of the college including Deborah Lindemann, Beverly Scott, Linda Savage and others. Dr. Lindemann, who was a student during the same period as Michael, described him as a student “who was always willing to help lower quarter students and always had a few students hanging around him between classes. He was unique on campus because he had a degree in Spinology which he earned taking courses from Reggi Gold.” Dr. Lindemann and Dobbins became colleagues teaching in the Diagnosis Department under the supervision of Dr. Norman Strutin. Dr. Lindemann recalls, “I returned the favor of ‘mentoring’ in terms of navigating the system as an instructor at Life West. Michael had a wonderful style of taking complicated information and making it ‘digestible’. He took a tough love approach with students that needed it. He was well loved by the students, who appreciated his knowledge and willingness to share his expertise.”
As an associate faculty member, Doug Bell had the opportunity to work with Michael, his wife and son in the college’s Health Center.
Dr. Dan Murphy met Michael decades ago when he was faculty and Michael was a student. “I soon realized that he was brilliant, well educated, sharp-witted and intellectually curious about science and health. This meant that he was destined to be a great chiropractor!”
Doctor Michael Dobbins has directly and indirectly, inspired, educated and improved the health and lives of the many people who knew him.
Rest in peace, Michael. Your friends and colleagues at Life West will miss you!
Memorials for Michael will take place at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda CA. The Viewing will be Friday, December 13, from 4:00 to 8:30, with the Vigil at 7PM. A Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 1PM at St. Joseph Basilica. A reception to follow at Standard Process of Northern California, 1960 N Loop Rd, Alameda, CA. Donations may be made to the choir Christopher belonged to: GGBC (Golden Gate Boys and Bellringers), 480 Larchmont Street, Hayward, CA 94544, or online at www.GGBC.org. Michael’s home address is; Dr. P.J. Dobbins, 2254 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda, California 94501.
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