Robert Charles DeBlois

Having just learned about Robs passing, I am so very saddened. As an educator and community advocate in Providence, I gratefully considered Rob as an esteemed colleague, fellow advocate, appreciated advisor and humbly, my friend. He will be greatly missed and most profoundly irreplaceable. My sincere condolences to his family - both personal and in the school community.

May you rest in peace my fellow Crane. Seems like it was only yesterday we were the young and not so innocent "kids" at Cranwell. May God bless your family Rob.

Amazing individual , was a big part of my life, and my son's life. So grateful to have been a part of the early days at UCAP with Rob.

Sending love to Bonnie and family. What a wonderful man. An inspiration to everyone. Much love from cousins Shelia and Herb Hunt.

Rob DeBlois was a giant in our industry. Through his pioneering work in education he transformed Alternative Education from being "alternative placement" to being "alternative pedagogy." This major shift in thinking gave rise to the charter school movement in RI and saved the lives of hundreds of kids.

I really enjoyed reading this obituary, it is such an nice summary of Rob as I knew him and things I did not know. I knew Rob as a public school kid from Pawtucket participating in SPIRIT, and as an adult was involved with the Friends of UCAP and other activities at UCAP. Rob kept strong connections with everyone he met, it seems.

I wish Rob could have had a few more decades with his family as well as participating in the communities in which he traveled - as Rob's tendency was to...

Rob was a really amazing guy. I will always remember him for his mischievous nature and the positive example he set for so many of us who were lucky enough to have met him. My condolences to Bonnie, Justin, Eric, and Sherry.

Love and light to your family and to all those young people who were touched by Rob.