‘They just idolised him’: Arthur William Dobe dies at age 97

Proserpine’s last original World War II veteran leaves an indelible mark on the Mackay and Whitsundays community and the comrades he leaves behind.

World War II veteran Arthur William Dobe, of Midge Point, has passed away at age 97. He was the last of the WWII veterans who had enlisted at Proserpine. Picture: Australia Institute of Professional Photography, 2017, gifted to Australian War Memorial.

The last remaining veteran to have enlisted for World War II in Proserpine has died at age 97.

Arthur William Dobe is being remembered as a cheeky, quick-witted, sociable and loving husband, father and grandfather who Midge Point residents would fondly visit at various times throughout the day to chat over a cuppa.

Youngest daughter Karen Maree Vitanza said he lived in his home “right up to the end”, passing away on Saturday following a fall.

“Just before he passed, about 50 minutes before, he said to my husband, ‘What’s the football score Tony?’,” Mrs Vitanza said, adding her dad’s three greatest loves besides his family and friends were football, fishing and bowls.

“We had a wonderful life,” Mrs Vitanza said.

“We did all the things that country kids do.

“Dad always took us on fishing trips and holidays to the beach.

“When he went fishing with mum (Betty), he’d come back, clean all the fish, and then bag it up and share it with all the households.”

World War II veteran Arthur William Dobe, of Midge Point, has passed away at age 97. He was the last of the WWII veterans who had enlisted at Proserpine. Picture: Australia Institute of Professional Photography, 2017, gifted to Australian War Memorial.

Mrs Vitanza said her Dad, who spent a large part of his working life at the Proserpine Mill, met her mum after returning from World War II.

Betty had “caught his fancy” while working as a maid at the Grand Central Hotel in Proserpine.

They married the following year at the Holy Trinity Church in Bowen, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary two years ago not long before Betty passed away.

They had four children together: William Thomas Gordon Dobe, Sheryl Lynn Stefani, Karen Maree Vitanza and Fiona Michelle Dobe.

Arthur Dobe pictured with wife Betty Dobe on their 70th wedding anniversary in early 2018. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Vitanza said her father himself was born on November 5, 1923 inside a “birthing house” that once existed in Settlers Lane in Proserpine, not far from where the IGA Supermarket is now located.

He was 19 when he enlisted for WWII where he served as a mechanical engineer, or sappa, to Papua New Guinea and also Morotai Island where he was posted as a guard during the historic treaty signing.

“When he was up at Morotai, he met up with his cousin and he was a bit of a character and he apparently pinched a carton of the Yanks’ beer and they had a good old party,” Mrs Vitanza said with a laugh.

The peace treaty was signed the next day.

“He always laughed about that (memory),” she said.

World War II veteran Arthur William Dobe, of Midge Point, in his younger days during his service. Mr Dobe has passed away at age 97. He was the last of the WWII veterans who had enlisted at Proserpine. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Vitanza said her father never lost touch with his army sergeant making a special trip down to Rockhampton to visit him every year, the town butcher often joining the get-together.

“We had to ring (the sergeant) yesterday to tell him Dad had passed,” she said.

“That was really hard because he’s 99 and still living on his cattle property.”

World War II veteran Arthur William Dobe, of Midge Point, standing in his driveway for the Anzac Day 2020 driveway service because of Covid. He passed away at age 97 on July 24, 2021. Picture: Contributed

Relationships were important to Mr Dobe who never missed a week calling all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to check in.

“He wanted to know what they were all doing,” Mrs Vitanza said.

“They’re going to miss him terribly.

“They just idolised him.”

Mrs Vitanza said family and close friends would hold a private service for her father, who passed away on July 24, at the Midge Point Tavern in the coming days.

If you want to share a memory of Mr Dobe, leave a comment below or email [e-mail] and we will pass it on to the family.