Robert D. Cabe
Jun 25, 1942 - May 14th, 2021- Birth Date: Jun 25, 1942
- Death Date: May 14, 2021
- Funeral Date: Unknown
- Location:
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Biography: Robert Dudley Cabe of Little Rock, a lawyer and health-insurance executive who gave much of his life to the betterment of education in Arkansas and other civic endeavors, died May 14 at a Little Rock hospital. He was 78. He had battled complications from cancer for several years.
Cabe was born June 25, 1942, at Little Rock to Robert Lee Cabe and Dorris Saugey Cabe, but he was reared at Benton, where he graduated from high school. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Hendrix College, an institution for which he would have a lifetime ardor and affiliation, and then a bachelor of laws degree from Duke University at Durham, N.C. He later received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hendrix.
He joined the blue-chip law firm of Wright, Lindsey & Jennings in 1966 and became a partner and chair of its labor-law division. Although much of his practice was on behalf of business employers, he had a sympathy for laboring litigants. He left the firm in 1981 and opened Allen, Cabe & Lester with two other lawyers. In 1988, he became vice president and general counsel of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, later becoming executive vice president for legal, governmental relations, and communication services. He retired in 2005.
In court, Cabe was the same as he was in his personal life—generous, deferential, dignified, and insistent upon truthfulness.
His passion for education did not begin with the birth of his two children, daughter Meredith and son Matthew, but they enhanced it: PTA, search committees for the superintendent of schools, and school elections. He was on the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College, which he served as chairman, and took a great interest in the founding and operation of the Arkansas School for the Gifted at Hendrix. He served on the state Board of Higher Education in the 1980s under appointment by his friend Governor Bill Clinton, after the legislature passed a law greatly magnifying the agency’s power to review and affect the academic programs at each of the publicly supported colleges and universities. He chaired the Quality Higher Education Study Committee.
In 1973, he, Chris Barrier, Walter Nunn, and Chuck Chappell formed a book club. Since then, it has met monthly for 48 years.
He held a diverse and lengthy series of leadership positions in organizations that exist for public service and community betterment, serving on the boards of directors of LifeQuest of Arkansas (chair); Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas (chair); Arkansas Repertory Theatre Foundation; National Conference for Community Justice, from which he received its Humanitarian Award; Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society Foundation (chair); Arkansas Repertory Theatre (chair); Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (chair); Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society (chair); and the Arkansas Museum of Science and History.
He was unfailingly kind. He was especially generous with those he loved, who could count on a listening ear, a crossword puzzle clue, a lap for a tired dog, a Girl Scout cookie order, or a piece of his Shipley’s bear claw. He loved fishing, golfing, and a well-made martini. He was a lifelong, committed liberal Democrat, and he was known occasionally to disapprove of poor grammar and overly long obituaries.
Survivors are his wife, Julie McDonald Cabe; children Meredith Cabe (Peter Hutchins) of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Matthew Cabe (Sarah Hantz) of Fayetteville; grandchildren Eva, Lila, and Mae Hutchins; and an assortment of granddogs.He is also survived by his stepmother Alene Glosson; brothers Alan Cabe (Gina) and Drew Cabe (Sue); stepsisters Sheila Stewart and Stephanie Lott; and their children and grandchildren.
A memorial reception will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Friday, June 18th, 2021 from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those who wish to make donations to consider Hendrix College, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society Foundation, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre Foundation, or LifeQuest of Arkansas.
So sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I didn't realize he had been ill. He was a "gentleman's gentleman" and so easy to work with. I have wonderful memories of board meetings and dinners with both of you. You are in my prayers.
Daniel and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and the rest of the family. I had the pleasure of working with Bob at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield where he was always supportive and a perfect gentleman. I always made time to offer assistance and never to busy to lend a listening ear. RIP Bob. Your legacy will live on.
I am sorry for your loss . Praying for comfort and peace.
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers
I was so saddened to read of Bob's loss. He was a gift to us at Blue Cross, to the legal community and the larger community as well - truly a gentleman and a scholar. I always said that if you looked up the term "General Counsel" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Bob right next to it. He will be missed. Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
Mauri and I were so sorry to hear of Bob’s death. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
schools here in MN and assisted in getting the Arkansas charter legislation adopted.