Dr. Robert "Bob" William
Daly, Jr.
October 3, 1943 - December 24, 2024
Dr. Robert “Bob” William Daly, Jr, 81, was born on October 3rd, 1943, in Birmingham (Irondale), Alabama, and passed away on December 24th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert William Daly and Vena Holliman Daly Buchheit, and his sister Mary Daly Herrin.
Dr. Daly is survived by his wife, Adela Joy Daly, his son John Robert Daly (Tammy), daughters Susanna Carol Daly and Iris Vivian Daly, and his stepson Shane Paschal. He also leaves behind his grandchildren John Alexander Daly, Jackson Anthony Daly, Cason Daly Williams, and AnnaCarol Marie Howell, along with many extended family members.
Dr. Daly received his PhD in Botany from Auburn University in 1971. He was a professor of Biology, beginning at Athens State University and the University of North Alabama, teaching for 44 years and retiring in 2013. He was a passionate educator to over 41,000 students and placed high value on being on time and prepared, paying attention, and following instructions. He helped shape the professions of many medical professionals and educators in the north Alabama area. He loved seeing his former students at appointments and around Florence.
He was a naturalist from a young age and loved being outside in the quiet solitude of the woods and enjoyed time at the beach immensely. He was well known for his hummingbird banding and shared those tiny creatures with many, something they will not soon forget, if ever. He also banded common birds for over 50 years for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior, contributing to tracking their migratory patterns. He spent his time working on his home and land and developed it into a Certified Treasure Forest by the State of Alabama.
He fiercely loved his family and had pride in his Irish heritage. He instilled in his children to use their brains, think for themselves, and gave them the freedom to live their lives. He spent countless hours with his best friend of over 50 years, Reece Stewart, hunting, fishing, and swapping stories. He loved cats and was known as the cat whisperer. A devoted YMCA member, he enjoyed working out and chatting with his Y buddies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. He will forever be missed by many, but his legacy and imprint will live on.
Visitation will be Monday, December 30, 2024, 2:00 to 4:00 pm with a memorial service at 4:00 pm, at Williams Funeral Home in Florence, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a tree or flowers, hang a hummingbird or bird feeder, or simply go outside and enjoy nature like Dr. Daly did and think of him.
Visitation
December 30, 2024
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Visitation
Williams Funeral Home, 1950 Helton Drive, Florence, AL, USA
December 30, 2024 2:00 pm
Get DirectionsMemorial Service
December 30, 2024
4:00 pm
Memorial Service
Williams Funeral Home, 1950 Helton Drive, Florence, AL, USA
December 30, 2024 4:00 pm
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10 Comments on “Dr. Robert "Bob" William Daly, Jr.”
Fred and I are so sorry to hear about Bobby. He was a wonderful person and special member of the family. We will always miss him. We love all of you.
We’ve loved our time together throughout our full adult lives. Bob always welcomed us with open arms into his home and family.
Our lives will have an empty effect where we enjoy our lives together.
But our lives have been touched by the love and friendship of Bob forever.
From the first time I met him I realized we had our love of nature in common. We had many great times when we banded hummingbirds at my place and knew we made an impact on many your people. I will treasure all my memories we shared together. I will miss you forever
I have fond memories of Dr Daly in the late 90s at UNA. My husband and I are 2 of the 41k impacted by him. I’m a professional biologist and my technical writing is what it is because of him. Rest in peace & your legacy lives on in us all.
UNA ‘99
Bobby was a good person and I wish i had gotten to know him better.
Jim Deason
My sincere condolences to you Iris and your family. That’s a beautiful obituary. Your dad accomplished a lot in is life time. You will cherish his memories you shared.
Please accept my most sincere condolences, John, Suzanna and Iris, for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Daly family. May Bob rest in peace. I am grateful for the childhood memories he helped create and will always treasure them and you all.
I was a biology/geography major and had Dr. Daly as a professor at UNA in 1986. He was an outstanding educator whose instruction and discussions helped me immensely, including applying some of the things learned from him to my job as a health inspector, especially in food inspections. I want to give my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
I was a biology/geography major and had Dr. Daly as a professor at UNA in 1986. He was an outstanding educator whose instruction and discussions helped me immensely, including applying some of the things learned from him to my job as a health inspector, especially in food inspections. I want to give my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
He was my A &P professor at UNA for a year. I will always remember the 1st day of class. He came in with a trucker hat that had this very long ponytail attached. He said nothing but went straight to the board and began writing. We were all speechless. He finally turned around & took it off and started laughing. He was a wonderful & gifted educator. I’ve been a nurse for 28 years and still attribute much of my knowledge to him.