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Woody Cobbs

Woody Cobbs

Dr. Woody Cobbs knew the importance of using good tools when he worked with his hands. He was a respected and well-loved cardiologist and professor at the Emory Clinic for over 40 years. With his wife, Honor Cobbs, he collected hand-tooled furniture and carvings, especially work created by medieval artisans. They also searched for and planted many rare native plants to incorporate into their large wooded yard in the Druid Hills neighborhood.

His knowledge and appreciation of music was also an integral part of his life. After his death in the fall of 2006, Mrs. Cobbs decided to make a gift that would honor his love of music and art. Last summer she created the "Dr. B. Woodfin Cobbs, Jr. Music Endowment," which will generate funds to purchase fine musical instruments to be used by students in the music department.

Stephen Crist, the chair of the Department of Music, considers the gift "both a forward-looking and an exceedingly practical memorial."

"The lifeblood of the music department's burgeoning instrumental music program is the instruments themselves," said Crist. "We purchase them on an ongoing basis because the department cannot rely solely on student musicians to furnish every instrument that is needed."

"This extraordinarily creative gift is a most beautiful way to leave a permanent legacy of the Cobbs' love of music and support for Music at Emory," said Will Ransom, Mary Emerson Professor of Piano. "Our students, faculty, and audiences will all benefit in perpetuity, and we are all incredibly moved and grateful for this wonderful bequest."

If you would like to contribute to this endowment for purchasing fine musical instruments for students, please contact Jeff Prince, Senior Director of Development, Emory College, 404-727-4494, jprince@emory.edu.

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