Mr. Robert L. Noble

Written by Bob: "So the world doesn’t have Bob Noble to kick around anymore. I’m just gone! I think I was a pretty nice guy. I could tell people who knew me, liked me and that helped me in many ways navigating my life." Bob “Nobes,” 79, laid down his working tools on September 6, 2024, and passed away peacefully at Sunrise Senior Living Home, Severna Park, MD. He was born in Pittsburgh, California to Alvin Noble and the former Alma Mary Chlan in an army camp at the end of WWII. Alvin and Alma met and served in WWII. Bob graduated from Towson High School, then later from University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University with master’s degrees in Education and Business. He began his career as a high school teacher and coach at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, then moved to Catonsville Community College (CCC) for 10 years leaving as a Director of Continuing Education for Business and Industry. He was one of the first of two people to do this type of work within Maryland community colleges. He was responsible for developing customized training for employers, which grew to be one of the largest of its kind in the nation. He developed the first apprentice program for machine apprentices in partnership with twenty local manufacturers and CCC- the first of its kind in Maryland. Even after moving on from CCC, he continued teaching Business and Management classes part-time, which funded his hunting trips. He worked 30 years at Westinghouse, later Northrop Grumman, rising to Vice President of State/Local Government Relations. He created and held the only lobbyist position and worked with elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly and other public officials. He advocated for bills that assisted Maryland business and industry and received multiple awards and recognition from elected officials. While at Westinghouse, he also helped CCC develop early expertise in Computer Assisted Design. Bob was instrumental in starting two non-profit companies to further manufacturing, MechTech, Inc and The Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence as well as help develop the CCC Foundation. He retired in 2011 to enjoy his time at his beach house. Throughout his life, he was very active and social and loved spending time with friends and family. His mantra was “Work Hard, Play Harder” and he embodied that fully. He designed and built his Maryland home, which was his pride and joy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, tending to his homes and pool. For the past few years, he has spent many days in his garage “shop.” Bob was married to Pamela Zopfi Noble, who predeceased him on December 12, 2020. He is survived by his three children Robert, Christi and Daniel, five grandchildren: Taylor (Ben), Tyler, Jonah, Kyla and Westin and two great-grandchildren: William and Waylon. He is also survived by his two brothers Thomas and John (Elizabeth) and five nieces/nephews. Bob was an active member of the Mason Lodge and was raised to a 32nd-degree Master Mason on April 3, 2004 and contributed to Shriner hospitals. A Masonic funeral service will be held at Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home (6500 York Road Balto, MD) on September 27, 2024 at 11am, preceded by an open visitation at 10am and followed by a cemetery prayer at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens and reception at An Poitin Stil. All are invited to attend.

Mr. Robert L. Noble

August 6, 1945 - September 6, 2024