Frank Robert "Bob" Dodson

Frank Robert Dodson “Bob”, age 73, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 16, 2020. In his last days he was surrounded by family and friends especially his childhood friend Tom Testerman. Bob was born December 15, 1946, in Albuquerque, NM to Conrad Dodson and Martha Dodson (Delgado).

Graduating in 1964 from St. Pius X High School, he moved to California to work and attend Riverside City, UCLA and San Diego State University majoring in finance and economics. He served in the Navy from 1968 to 1972 aboard the USS Enterprise then returned to Albuquerque. He worked as the night auditor at Royal Inn Motor Hotel for two years while continuing his education at the University of New Mexico.

After learning the operations of the hotel, restaurant and lounge business he purchased and operated the Royal Inn from 1974 to 1998. His most famous guests included Frank Sinatra Jr., President Richard Nixon, Senator William Proxmier of Wisconsin, Three Dog Night, Aerosmith and Goldie Hawn who was driving through Albuquerque in a VW bus with her kids.

While operating the hotel Bob started Federal Service Contracts in Hawaii for six years and eventually sold the business to his partner. He was as an active participant in the Travel and Tourism industry serving as President of the NM Hotel Association, Board Member of the American Hotel Motel Association, Vice President of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Founder and first President of the Albuquerque Innkeepers Association and Albuquerque Visitors and Convention Bureau where he was instrumental in developing and creating the city’s annual Balloon Fiesta and the New Mexico Lodger’s Tax benefiting the travel and tourism industry. He created and wrote the Newsletter “New Mexico Travel Trends” informing subscribers what was happening in the New Mexico tourism industry.

Bob’s love of history took him around the world including Russia, France, and Israel. He traveled extensively to small and large communities throughout New Mexico. He was devoted to researching his family history including family relations to Ceran St. Vrain. This passion for history and education led to Bob to join the NM Mountain Men and participate in and learn from many of their Rendezvous events.

Hobbies included fishing, cooking, reading and always learning. He was passionate about sharing his knowledge of history in order to help preserve it.

Bob will always be remembered for his love of travel, history, and education especially NM History.

He is preceded in death by his father, Conrad Dodson; mother, Martha Delgado Dodson; and the loves of his life, his dogs, Max, Megan, and Margie. He leaves behind sister, Carol Dodson Stringfield and husband, Foster; brother, Rick Dodson and wife, Robin; nephews, Troy and Scott Stringfield, Adam and Clay Dodson; nieces, Sherry Stringfield and Kristy Dodson and their families.

Bob had a dedicated staff: Brian Roybal, Randy Romero, Arnold Gallagher, Marty Stroman, Marian DiFiore, Marie Mazon, Marilyn Hickey, Myda Solano, Jeri Kilpatrick, his wonderful caregivers, Julie, Fronca, Jeni, and his hospice nurse, Josh.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m., FRENCH – Westside. Mass will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Joseph’s Dr. NW in Albuquerque. He will be interred at Gate of Heaven.

The family would like you to view the Rosary which will be live streamed and available for viewing by clicking on the link below.