Dr. Deborah Scheckel Cobb

Dr. Deborah Scheckel Cobb

Iowa City

Dr. Deborah Scheckel Cobb, DDS, died on April 2, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Deb passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Deborah Scheckel Cobb was born on March 19, 1954, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Elizabeth (Blong) Scheckel and Dr. Gerald John Scheckel, DDS (both deceased). She was the fourth of five children: John Scheckel; Mary (Scheckel) Langlois (deceased); Stephen Scheckel; and Susan Scheckel. Even after the family moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1968, Deb and her siblings returned every summer to their family’s farm near LaMotte, IA, to spend some of their happiest moments with their Aunt Adelaide Scheckel, and Uncles Herbert, Ralph, and Raymond Scheckel.

Deborah earned a degree in Dental Hygiene from Northern Arizona University, where she continued to develop a lifelong love of the outdoors, including hiking, fishing, biking and snow skiing. Deb returned to Iowa to attend the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, graduating in 1982 and along the way met her husband Dr. Stuart Cobb. Stu and Deb were married in Hayward, CA, on November 13. 1982. Post graduation, Deb spent several years practicing in the San Francisco Bay area while Stu served in the Navy. Upon completion of Stu’s Navy commitment, Deb and Stu returned to Iowa to raise their children, Valerie and Bryan. Deb joined the College of Dentistry Operative Dentistry Department, where she earned her Master’s degree and served as a faculty member for 30 years. In her last ten years leading up to retirement Deb served as the Director of the Graduate Program in Operative Dentistry. Deb truly loved her career, her colleagues, her students, and her patients. This heartfelt love could be sensed by all those who Deb interacted with and was reciprocated in kind. Dr. Deb Cobb was highly valued for her excellent patient care, professionalism, commitment to her students, undergrad and grad, and most of all for the sense of joy she brought to all those she worked with and for.

Deb embodied many gifts, but perhaps the greatest was her ability to connect with and to empower those around her. She had a way of making friends with anyone who crossed her path by making them feel important, because they were important to Deb. No one could be more genuine and kind, and her qualities were easily sensed and embraced. All who knew Deb would agree that anywhere Deb went, joy followed. But, as a warning to those who would treat others unkindly, they would be wise to beware of Deb Cobb. She has been known throughout her entire life to fiercely stand up for the oppressed and the bullied. The downtrodden could have had no greater champion than Deb Cobb.

There were many passions in Deb’s life, encompassing her career, family, friends, community, and political causes. These included serving as a precinct captain for the Pete Buttigieg presidential campaign, presiding as President of UI Retirees Association 2024-2025, regularly volunteering for the annual Courage Bike Ride for Sarcoma, helping to organize and participate in the College of Dentistry Cornfed bike rides, multiple years riding in RAGBRAI, and over a decade of yearly fishing trips to Canada. Above all was Deb’s passion and dedication to her family. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply. Her life revolved around helping to ensure their well-being and she spent as much time as possible being part of their lives.

In summary, Deb Cobb lived a life of courage, kindness, and joy. These gifts she shared freely, without effort, and her world, and all who had the good fortune to be part of her life, were much better off for it. She will be deeply missed.

Deb is survived by her husband, Dr. Stuart Cobb of Iowa City; children, Valerie Schroder of Timnath, CO, and Dr. Bryan Cobb (Kate Cobb, PhD) of Denver, CO; grandchildren: Kayla Schroder, Anthony Schroder, Cora Schroder and Theo Cobb; brother, Dr. Stephen Scheckel (Pamela Terrill) of Iowa City; sister, Susan Scheckel, PhD (Peter Manning, PhD) of Stony Brook, NY; brother, Dr. John Scheckel of Scottsdale, AZ. She is also survived by numerous extended family, friends, and colleagues. Grandchild Ava Schroder died shortly after birth.

The family will greet guests from 4 pm - 5:30 pm, Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service. There will be a service from 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm with a reception to follow next door at The Kirkwood Room. The family will continue to greet guests at The Kirkwood Room starting at 6:15 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. Cobb's family kindly requests that contributions be made to a hospitality fund supporting graduate students in the Operative Department at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. The fund will help organize events that foster camaraderie and create a sense of home for the residents. Memorial contributions can be made to the UI Center for Advancement, PO Box 4550, IC, IA 52244-4550. Please note that your gift is in memory of Deb Cobb. Online donations are available at the link listed below under memorial donations. Alternative donations in Deb’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.