By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Dr. Robert B. Todd Jr., DDS passed away at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., Tuesday after a battle with liver cancer. He was 67 years old.
Todd was diagnosed with cancer in March and was currently undergoing treatments.
After graduating from dental school, Todd came to Niles after answering an ad in the newspaper for a dentist at the Health Department. Because Niles gave him a chance and allowed him to begin his practice here, he chose to stay and help give back to the community as much as he could.
"He believed in the community and helping people. He will be missed so much by so many people," Deb Johnson, Office Manager for Todd's office said this morning.
Johnson has been an employee with Todd's office for 27 years.
"All he ever wanted to do was help in any way he could."
Todd was active on many boards around the community, including the Niles DDA and the Optimist Club, to name a few. He's known for his unselfish support not only with many of local groups and organizations, but the community itself.
"He was very active in this community. Bob was a friend of mine and we're going to miss seeing him around. He was a huge supporter of Niles and he will be missed," City Administrator Terry Eull said.
Diane Bass, Executive Assistant at the City Administrator's Office and past president of the Optimist Club, said Todd was one of those people who could be counted on.
"He did anything to help, especially with children. Bob spent a lot of time behind the scenes. He cared deeply about the community and donated a lot, whether it was to races, triathlons or children's leagues, he was always there to help."
Liz Capron, past president of the Optimists, said she is deeply saddened by the passing of Todd.
"He was not only a friend, but a great community person. He gave of himself and he always had a great sense of humor.
Program manager of Niles Main Street Lisa Croteau said the passing of Todd is quite a loss for the community.
"He was one of the most wonderful people I have ever had a chance to meet. We are all going to miss him so very much," said said.
Croteau said Todd served on the DDA Board for a number of years. "I have been here 10 and he was here long before me."