Rick Gobbi, who worked as a Sodexo food service manager in the Lower Usdan dining hall, passed away at his home in Billerica early in the morning on Feb. 4. Gobbi had recently been nationally recognized by Sodexo for his outstanding customer service, according to a Thursday night email sent to the Brandeis community by University President Ron Liebowitz.

In his email, Liebowitz echoed a common theme expressed by others on social media since Gobbi’s passing: “Whether he was busing tables, or assisting students during lunch, Rick always had a way to make you smile.” 

Born in Waltham, Gobbi was a dedicated member of the community. He was also a devoted father, coaching Waltham Little League for his son and taking his daughter to ballet and horseback riding lessons, according to the obituary posted on the Brasco & Son’s Memorial Funeral Home website. The funeral service was held Friday at the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown.

On campus, Brandeis Dining Services and Sodexo remembered Gobbi by serving some of his favorite foods in Lower Usdan on Thursday. Dining Services posted on its Facebook page, “We have always been incredibly proud to have him as part of our team, and will miss his warm presence dearly,” and its website links to Gobbi’s obituary with a banner reading, “We remember our friend Rick.” 

Liebowitz concluded his email by reminding community members that the campus has many support resources available to them, including the Brandeis Counseling Center and members of the Multifaith Chaplaincy.  

—Kirby Kochanowski