Robert J Deangelo

Today, we share the saddest of news. On the morning of Saturday, December 6, 2025, Robert “Bobby” DeAngelo passed away, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family. We have lost a rare and extraordinary soul, one whose boundless kindness lifted countless others, and whose legacy of compassion will endure in every life he touched.

Born on July 2, 1959, in Bayonne, New Jersey, he relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1982 following his service in the United States Marine Corps. He began working in the pipe, valve, and fitting industry, acquiring the knowledge and experience that would later lead him to found his own company, Louisiana Chemical Pipe Valve and Fitting, in 1998. As CEO and owner, he earned a reputation for integrity, a tireless work ethic, and a genuine commitment to mentoring others, believing that investing in people was essential to lasting success. By the time the company was sold in 2012, it had become one of the largest privately owned industrial supply houses in the state. Upon his “retirement” he founded and operated Universal Industrial Assets and devoted himself to philanthropy.

Bobby lived a life of passion and purpose, a kinetic spirit with a mind and body that rarely rested, always moving. It was as if he created his own wind and carried us all along with it. This may be the first time he has ever been completely still. He was both driven and humble, focused in purpose yet always quick to laugh. His warmth knew no bounds, and his smile was infectious. He was not a perfect man, but he was so filled with goodness that his flaws only deepened the affection others felt for him.

He loved his family and friends with uncommon devotion, cared for strangers without hesitation, and gave of himself far more than most ever realized. His kindness to strangers was extraordinary, yet it could never outshine the boundless love he carried for his family.

A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, Bobby embodied the Corps’ motto, “Semper Fidelis—Always Faithful.” Loyalty, service, and community defined his life. He was a man of action over words, never lingering on problems but moving immediately toward solutions. He didn’t talk about making a difference in the world. He changed our world by changing lives.

Driven by a desire to feed the hungry, Bobby founded an Annual Christmas Turkey Fry, rallying friends and family to support St. Vincent de Paul and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, serving thousands of meals to those in need. His generosity extended far beyond the holiday season. He supported countless charities, never seeking recognition, always driven by love and purpose.

Though Bobby’s greatest devotion was to his family, his dedication to fellow veterans and their families closely followed. His quiet generosity began with support of the annual Never Quit Never Forget Galas, ensuring its success through donations and tireless promotion.

Desiring to expand his giving, Bobby launched his own initiative, The Just Cause Flag Campaign, which provided donors with beautifully framed American flags in memory of our fallen heroes. Under his leadership, and with remarkable community support, the campaign raised more than half a million dollars for veteran’s organizations including Folds of Honor, Special Ops Survivors, The Combat Wounded Coalition, Heroes on the Water, The Blue Star Mothers of Baton Rouge Chapter 1, and The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.

He built an outdoor recreation facility for our veterans and first responders known as Lake McCowan, so named after a friend and veteran who passed away.

He supported the law enforcement community through CALEF, The Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation, which provides body armor for our first responders and was a long-time supporter of the Baton Rouge Battered Women’s Shelter.

For Bobby, helping others was about presence, action, and heart. He was often the first to recognize a need, showing up before anyone asked. Many relate stories of times Bobby quietly stepped in with kindness: providing tools for someone’s work, offering office space to a struggling entrepreneur, covering funeral costs for those facing that difficult time.

He believed deeply that our nation owed a profound debt to Purple Heart recipients and understood that many of their financial hardships stemmed directly from their sacrifice. Refusing to accept that as “just the way it is,” he stepped in without fanfare, often with the help of friends, to ease their financial burdens.

These acts were not rare gestures for Bobby. They were simply his way of life. He gave of himself selflessly, quietly, and always without want of recognition. As we celebrate his life, we recognize him now.

The twinkle of Bobby’s blue eyes has dimmed, but the warmth and guidance of his light remain. He had a way of sparking inspiration and joy in everyone around him. That, along with his endless capacity to love, will be the legacy carried forward by those fortunate enough to know him. He was a fighter, a dreamer, a patriot, and above all, a man who lived ‘Always Faithful.’ His life was a gift to all who knew him, and the ripple of that gift will continue in every life he touched.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents John DeAngelo and Alfonsina Frances DeAngelo; his sisters, Rosemarie Mortorano and Janet Mortorano Moller; and his brothers, Vincent Mortorano, Jr., and Louis Vincent DeAngelo, Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-nine years, Cindy LeBlanc DeAngelo, their children Meghan DeAngelo Knox (Logan Knox), Madilyn DeAngelo, and Vincent DeAngelo. He is also surivived by his siblings Barbara Mortorano Means (Tom Means), Joyce DeAngelo Seghers (Andre Seghers), Johnny DeAngelo (Patty DeAngelo), sister-in-law Gail DeAngelo (widow of Louis), mother-in-law Rebecca LeBlanc, and numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom carries forward his spirit of generosity, courage, and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bobby DeAngelo’s honor to any of the organizations listed above, or consider giving of your time thereby continuing his lifelong mission of service to others.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the numerous physicians and nurses who cared for him during his illness and would like to especially thank Amedysis Hospice Care for their compassionate care as Bobby neared the end of his journey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at The Healing Place Church, 19202 Highland Road in Baton Rouge.  A Memorial Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. 

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com