Long Beach Teacher Missing in Sumatra
Daniel Bobis disappeared while surfing off the coast of the Indonesian island.
Long Beach High School teacher and Surf Team coach Daniel Bobis went missing Sunday morning in Sumatra.
Bobis was surfing in West Lampung in the south of the Indonesian island when he disappeared.
Long Beach teacher Jay Spitz said that he received word from Bobis’ wife, Rachel, that he had gone missing in the waters of south Sumatra 10 hours ago. His board was located, Spitz continued, but there was no sign of Bobis.
Spitz explained that the “rescue efforts are horrible there” due to the remote nature of the area. He added that Rachel Bobis, whom he has been in contact with, said that the local United States Consulate has been no help thus far.
“She was hoping to get some public attention and hopefully someone can get a helicopter out there,” Spitz said.
Long Beach Superintendent Dave Weiss said that they are “deeply concerned about the safety and well being of Danny Bobis” in a statement released on Sunday.
“We have been in contact with Senator Schumer’s office to notify them about the situation and urge them to provide assistance to the local authorities with the rescue efforts,” Weiss said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Danny’s family and friends and we hope for his safe return.”
“Danny is very popular and well-liked by students and staff, is a well-respected colleague, and a vital part of the school community,” he added in the statement.
A math teacher at Long Beach High School for seven years, Bobis is a lifelong Long Beach resident who “is very involved in the community,” according to Spitz. Bobis founded the high school surf team, the first competitive group in New York, and advises the surf club. His wife is a social worker at Long Beach Middle School.
“He is just the most wonderful guy,” Spitz added.
Friends of the family are asking for help in urging the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to send a helicopter to search for Bobis. The Embassy can be reached by calling (62)(21) 3435-9000 or visiting their website.
Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
In This article
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Long Beach High School
322 Lagoon Dr W, Lido Beach, NY -
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Long Beach Middle School
239 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach, NY
Carol Mejia
11:27 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
So sorry to hear such tragic news. Can only pray for a good outcome.
Elliot Zuckerman
6:35 am on Monday, July 25, 2011
Dan and Rachel wishing a safe return ,his love for life and people is felt both here in LB and all over the world and we all are waiting for any good news, prays are with you both and the entire family...
Alida Lang
8:23 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
He was my son Tylers math teacher. My daughter Breana who just graduated Long Beach High School said he was one of the most "loved " teachers and all the students thought he was just so cool. Our prayers and thoughts are with him, his wife and his family on his safety and good news!!
Viviana
11:53 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
He is my daughter's math teacher..We are praying for him, that he is ok. He is a good teacher, and well liked by students.
Larry Moriarty
11:58 am on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Praying for you Danny
Lobster
12:06 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sad new indeed. My condolences to Rachel and the Bobis family.
Pat
12:10 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
We are praying for him and his family.
Sandra Katz
12:12 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Keeping a classmate in thoughts and prayer that all turns well !
Denisha
12:18 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Im sorry to have this horrible news all we can do is have faith and pray that everything will be okay. God is with us all .
Eric Petrone
12:19 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
A truly amazing guy; I'm praying for you Rachel!
Barbara DuBow Bernardino
12:48 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the Bobis family, May a safe return be forthcomng.
Leigh Alexander
12:49 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Praying for him and Rachel... he is my son's math teacher and Surf Team Coach... he and Rachel have been such a wonderful, encouraging, and positive influence on my son.
Misty
12:57 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hoping and praying for a positive outcome.
Kathryn Damico
1:02 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Rachel- your in our thoughts and prayers. Taj, Kathryn, and Kassidy
Susan
1:02 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
We are praying for his safe return! Our prayer are with Rachel and their family!
Aleeyah
1:33 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bobis we all hope you return safely to long beach . I'll keep you in my prayers
Mari Ann Astone
1:41 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
My heart and prayers go out to his family!! I am with Misty on this... Praying for a positive out come!!
Ralph Puig
1:48 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Ralph Puig
Devastating news for the Long Beach community and surfers all over! Our prayers are for a safe recovery and hearts go out to Rachel and her family... He's an iconic fugure in our city by the sea....
Christopher Matthew Fry
1:53 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
We will be holding a vigil this evening at the Laurelton Boulevard Boardwalk in Long Beach at 8:00PM. All are invited. Please come and show support for Danny and his family as we pray for his safe return. Spread the word!
linda amato
3:28 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Praying for his safe return
Denis G. Kelly
3:46 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Please call the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia at 011 62 21 3435 9000 extension 7 and tell them to deploy all of their resources to find this beloved teacher.
Teresa Greifenberger
3:56 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
I tried calling the number and it said "the number you're calling has not been installed".
We pray for a safe return.
Emily Wood
5:17 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hi Teresa,
Did you dial "011" before the above number? That is the code to call outside of the United States.
Best,
Emily
delaney bleu
4:02 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
very sorry hope he`s o.k Delaney Hunt
Veronica Rojas
4:03 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
hoping for your return alive and well to your loving family and friends.....all of our prayers are with you
Donna
4:24 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
He was my sons math teacher. What a great guy!!! Our prayers are with his family.
Dennie Love Whelan-Cali
4:48 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sending thoughts and payers.......
Emily Williams
5:01 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Lord we pray for safety & protection for Daniel. We ask that his he be found quickly & healthy. We thank u in advance because u r so faithful . Amen
felice grossman
5:05 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
This is very sad news. I hope he will be located soon.
Mr. Daniel Gowens
5:17 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Danny, my colleague and former student. I hope and pray for your safe return. You mean a great deal to the students and faculty of LBHS.
Daniel Gowens.
john zator
5:31 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Danny, we will be praying
Jim Malahy
5:33 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
My prayers go out to Danny and to everyone who knows him.
Betty Gruber
5:33 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the Bobis family. Hoping to hear positive news soon!
Betty Gruber
Scott Bochner
6:09 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with Danny and his family.
Susan Russo
7:23 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Praying for a safe return.
Theresa LaForte Franceschini
8:35 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Bobis and his family.
john sheedy
8:54 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
We pray for a quick and positive resolution for Danny and his family
claudia
8:58 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Praying for a good outcome... Thoughts and prayers to him and his family.
Amy Convertino
9:38 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
praying praying praying
Cindy hamlet
10:27 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
Rachel - your husband is an inspiration to all. We pray for you both and wish you God's speed and much love.
Joe, Cindy & Tom Hamlet
Jaime Sumersille
9:38 am on Monday, July 25, 2011
The outpouring of support and encouragement on here is inspirational. We here at Patch also hope for Danny's safe return and our thoughts are with the Bobis family and LBHS community. We will update this story as we received more information. If you have something to add, please email josephk@patch.com.
Jaime Sumersille
Regional Editor, Nassau County
Patch.com
jeff
12:24 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
Been praying and hoping for his safe return all night.. surf and teacher brother both come back from mother ocean safe and sound to those who love and need you here. Peace.
nora maldonado
6:59 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
Ms Bobis you are in my prayers and my daughter Jillian , we are praying for good news and for you , We all love you and your husband
Matt Markell
7:25 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
I am not able to surf anymore but I know that anyone as involved as Dan in the great sport of surfing has got to be someone special. God willing, he'll come back to us. We need him!
Lourdes Olivo Adams
8:22 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
Father I pray along with all others who are concern, and that we all agree that he will be found. We ask this in Jesus name, AMEN!
Denise Ricci
10:05 pm on Monday, July 25, 2011
Thinking of all of you and praying for your safe return!
The Ricci Family
Omar
10:16 pm on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Praying for you here in Indialantic, FL.
Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Brennan
1:38 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My prayers along with those of all of us here at St. Mary of the Isle, God Bless, Fr. Brennan
Laura
8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I'm a student at East Rockaway high, so LB isn't too far from me. I heard about this from my friend from LB, so heartbreaking. My prayers go out to him and his family! I hope to hear a positive outcome!
Barri Rappel
8:55 pm on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Our prayers are with you- safe return home. Rappel family
Lobster
2:48 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Rest In Peace Danny. You will be missed by many.