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GREENSBORO — Dr. Russell A. Cobb, founder of one of the Triad’s largest and best-known chiropractic clinics, died Thursday afternoon. He was 66.

Cobb, the owner of Cobb Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 N. Elm St. in Greensboro, died following a 20-year battle with manic depression, said Doug Harris, his longtime attorney.

Harris said Cobb committed suicide at his Summerfield home after going off medications to treat his illness because of risks the medications posed to his liver.

“Basically, everything in his life was going well,” Harris said.

“He had no problems and it was the nature of the beast that he became concerned about things that wouldn’t concern a person who was mentally healthy. There was no reason for it.”

Cobb, a Caswell County native, opened his practice in 1977 and served more than 25,000 patients.

“He always said what was best for his patients was most important,” said Dr. Steven Rubin, who worked with Cobb at the practice for almost 14 years.

“I think in the medical profession, that’s what we would all like to see,” Rubin said.

Cobb also was known for his many TV commercials advertising the clinic.

But he had his share of legal problems throughout the years. In 1988, Cobb ran into money problems and filed for bankruptcy, listing debts of $15 million.

In 1989, Cobb pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently obtaining $5.7 million in loans. He served a six-month sentence at a community correction center. The conviction also led to a six-month suspension of his chiropractic license by state officials.

Harris said the court issues revealed Cobb’s mental health problems, and he was diagnosed with manic depression.

With the help of medication, Cobb rebounded and returned to his practice and continued to be successful.

“Once he took his medication, he didn’t have these problems,” Harris said. “He resumed his practice, kept it going and built it back up.”

Harris said he represented many of Cobb’s patients as well and remembers the doctor’s willingness to go out of the way to help them.

“I had to call him and tell him that there was no possibility of getting paid (from some patients),” Harris said.

“He kept treating people for no money. He was an unusually kind man and that was an unusual trait.”

Harris said Cobb was a quiet man and spent much of his free time with his family and serving his church, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

Cobb leaves behind a wife, Maria, and three adult sons — Tony, Rusty and Shane.

A visitation is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Forbis & Dick’s North Elm Chapel.

Memorials can be made to the N.C. Chiropractic Association at 3200 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 216, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Cobb’s clinic is expected to continue operating.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com