Robert Bobb's biggest challenge: Create a new Detroit Public Schools - Detroit Free Press

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"It's like when a kid falls and hurts himself," Bobb said, "and an adult puts his hands on and says, 'You'll be OK.' "

His father, who died at age 82 in 2006, completed only the sixth grade but stressed the importance of education to his five children. All of them graduated from high school and college.

"Robert is the mentor to all the grandchildren in the family," said his cousin Dale Bobb, 53, of Houston. She looked up to him. "He was just a real strong person."

He was raised to be a leader, she added, noting: "The Bobbs are strong-minded people, not lackin', not slackin'."

He was the oldest child, and grew up in a three-bedroom house. He was always reading a book when he wasn't playing baseball or stickball.

"Robert was always a special child, a sweet child from day one," said his aunt Levora Bobb, 84, of Houston. "He never caused anybody any problems. He took care of himself, my parents. He was very neat and clean and loved reading. He was always smart, good in school, a real honest-to-goodness kid."

Money was tight for the Bobbs.

"I remember one year, my mom brought home some clothing," Bobb said. "I remember putting on an old shirt. I went to church and a kid said, 'He's got on my shirt.' "

He vowed never to wear somebody else's clothing again. Appearance is important to him. It shows power and achievement for a man who climbed from the sugar fields to the boardroom.

At times, Bobb carries himself with an icy formality. He rarely loosens his tie or rolls up his sleeves, even around his staff. He owns about 35 suits and about 100 ties. Many shirts are monogrammed and he is apt to wear cuff links, but he doesn't own any dress shoes. All he wears are cowboy boots made from ostrich skin. He has a pair for every occasion, eight in all, not counting the pair made from lizard skin. "They are very comfortable," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

In March 2009, just one month after Bobb took the job in Detroit, his mother died of a heart attack. It devastated him. After returning to Detroit from the funeral, Bobb went to church on Palm Sunday with Steve Wasko, his public relations chief.

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