In Memoriam: Edward Bobit, Founder Of Bobit Business Media (1927-2014)
It was with great sadness that the collective membership of NAFA Fleet Management Association learned of the passing of Edward Bobit, Founder of Automotive Fleet magazine and Bobit Business Media. He passed away at home on Sunday, June 29. Approximately one year previous, Bobit underwent valve-replacement surgery.
A Club NAFA inductee and Honorary Member, Bobit is survived by his five children: Ty Bobit (Chief Executive Officer of Bobit Business Media since 2004), Barbara Jusseaume, Bobi Jo Banas, Beverly Jacobson, and Beth Edwards as well as fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"A word that gets used a lot lately, and most often incorrectly, is ‘iconic.’ Anything that is vaguely recognizable gets called ‘iconic.’ But when one speaks of Ed Bobit, there really is no better title," said NAFA Chief Executive Officer Phillip Russo, CAE. "Ed was an icon and his mark on the fleet industry is indelible. His contributions and life will be celebrated."
Starting with Automotive Fleet in November, 1961, Bobit laid the foundation for a multimedia empire that not only spanned across the varied segments of the fleet profession, but over many different industries. Automotive Fleet is credited as being one of the most respected fleet-related journals in the publishing world. Even after his surgery in 2013, Bobit continued to stay current with the industry through his blog and editorials within his publications.
"Both NAFA and Bobit Media have a common goal between us. That is, to promote the highest levels of professional management of vehicles, enabling all members to improve their ability to contribute to an employer’s success," said Russo. "We didn’t always take the same approach to achieving that end, but we always strive for putting the fleet manager and fleet management front-and-center when it comes to their value to the business world. The fleet profession has lost one of its most vocal and prominent advocates."