Robert Raymond DeVisser

Robert Raymond De Visser, age 60, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, was welcomed peacefully into the Gates of Heaven on the evening of Tuesday, July 8, 2025. He entered into this world on September 18, 1964 in Pompton Plains, NJ, born to Robert and Judith De Visser. Rob was preceded in death by his loving parents and his sister, Suzanne Youngster. He is survived by his wife of almost 34 years, Gaelin De Visser; daughters Julianne (Katie), Lillian and Suzanne; and son, Christian. He is the loving brother to his sister Dana (Lou) Stukenborg, and uncle to Brooke, Joel, Amica, Sydney, Raymond, Caitlin, Julie, Matthew, Clare, Emily and Lisa.
Rob grew up in Butler, NJ, dreaming of a life of adventure and travel. He earned his Eagle Scout and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1982 upon graduating from high school. Germany was his first assignment and it was there that he grew to love and appreciate the German language, food, and beer. After 7 wonderful years stationed at Rhein-Mein Air Base, he transferred to a special assignment in London, UK with the Air Force where he met his future bride, Gaelin Green, who was serving there in the U.S. Navy. After a 5 month courtship, they were engaged on February 14, 1991, and married at San Felipe de Neri Church in Albuquerque, NM on September 14, 1991.
In 1993, Rob and Gaelin moved from London to Albuquerque so Rob could attend the University of NM. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1996 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and entered graduate school at UNM with a fellowship from the U.S. Navy. Rob completed his MBA in 1998 and the Navy sent him to San Diego, CA to join the U.S. Department of Defense as a Contract Specialist. Gaelin and their one year old daughter, Julianne, were thrilled to move with him to sunny Southern California, where son, Christian, joined them in 2000. Rob's next assignment was Manama, Bahrain in 2002, where Lillian joined the family, and then to Yokosuka, Japan and the birth of their youngest, Suzanne, in 2005.
Following Japan, Rob and his family moved to Bogotá, Colombia in 2008 for a U.S. Army assignment in the U.S. Embassy, and then on to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama in 2015, with a 6 month deployment to Kuwait. Grafenwöhr, Germany was Rob's next assignment in 2017, where he simultaneously completed a Masters in Strategic Studies online with the U.S. Army War College and graduated with High Honors in 2020. The De Visser Family returned to San Diego in 2023 for Rob to once again work for the U.S. Navy at NAVWAR, bringing his stellar government service career full circle. Every move was exciting to Rob and he loved learning new languages, culture, and history, and really getting to know people at every assignment. "Peopling" was perhaps Rob's greatest gift both at work and in his personal life.
Rob somehow managed to combine being a big kid at heart with a goal-oriented drive for progress and self-improvement. His ability to balance his work, always important, with his family life, MOST important, is part of what made Rob so special. He took time for the little things, like the "I'm praying for you" text, the $20 in a Halloween card, or sending postcards from around the world. Even if physically apart, you knew that you were still important to him and he was thinking of you.
There were numerous passions that Rob pursued, including hiking, grilling, gardening (he loved starting a veggie garden from seed!), reading a wide variety of books, putting together large puzzles with the family, playing Wordscapes with his kids, watching Jeopardy!, traveling, exploring new places, and of course, finding a deal when shopping! He loved all holidays (decorating every office he worked in), and especially Christmas and birthdays. Rob was the first one to join in on any adventure; the more unique and obscure the better.
His ability to make conversation out of thin air, to relate to other people's perspective, or perhaps to argue his own ideas, his encyclopedic knowledge of history and trivia, and his engaging demeanor allowed him the opportunity to coax the best out of his staff, and form life-long friendships easily. Rob formed meaningful relationships at every assignment and in every country that he lived, and was truly engaged with whatever God and life put in his path. He was a devout Catholic, 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and prayed the rosary daily, sharing his faith and leading by example wherever he went. Rob was also very patriotic; he loved flying the American Flag, and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from December 1982 - December 1992.
Rob was the most dedicated, loving husband and father, and he is, and will continue to be, missed immensely. His personality filled a room, and he always loved to smile, laugh, joke and tell a good story. He treasured his time with his kids, and being a Dad was a role that he took very seriously and welcomed with joy. Rob was the backbone of his family and made sure that they were always protected and taken care of. Our memories of Rob will be forever imprinted in our hearts. Rest in Peace Rob, Robert, Dad, Daddy, HOBO, Uncle Rob, Brother Rob... We Love You.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rob's name to 'Father Joe's Villages', a San Diego-based charity that Rob supported.
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