HOT SPRINGS — Bobby “Bob” Wayne Mathis,
age 79, of Hot Springs passed away May 4, 2020. He was born April 11, 1941 to the late Samuel Bates Mathis and Barbara Haynie Mathis Morgan. Other than his parents Bob was preceded in death by step-father, William Morgan; one brother and one sister.
Bob graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1958. He then attended Arkansas Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) where he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Mathematics. Bob then began a 27 year career with Southwestern Bell that took him to McGhee, Pine Bluff, St. Louis and Little Rock until he took up per-
manent residence in Hot Springs in 1976. Over those years he served as District Manager for the Commercial Department, Community Relations and Economic Development. Before leaving SWB, he was the Regional Manager of External Affairs.
Bob began a new path through community service working as the Executive Director of the United Way in Garland County. In 1998, he ran and was elected as Mayor of Hot Springs on the slogan “What About Bob?” In 2001, he decided to run for the open State Representative seat where he served for the next 6 years. If he believed in something or someone, he worked tirelessly to help push legislation. During his tenure, he cosponsored The Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act, which he was very proud of. Once term limited, Bob continued to spend most of his time at the Capitol lobbying for various groups.
Bob, affectionately known as Dadoo by his grandkids, enjoyed history, politics, reading, and a good debate. He was tough but gentle, kind with a mischievous sense of humor. There really was never a dull moment. He loved spending time with family and friends. He was a great storyteller with MANY stories to share. Ask him the capital of any country and he had the answer. He knew every line to On Top of Old Smoky and had no problem proving it. He showed his love through food, whether having fish fries, taking his grandkids to breakfast or bringing home chocolate bars from the Community Bakery once he left work at the Capitol. If he loved you, you knew it. He had a passion for helping others, and he was successful at it. Bob was a true “man of the people” and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Thea Mathis; son, Eric Mathis; daughters, Mandy Mathis Cordell (Benji), Maggie Mathis Theodore (Chris); grandchildren, Carsen and Layton Cordell, Mathis, Easton and Ainslee Theodore, all of Hot Springs; sister, Marsha Garner (David) of Little Rock.