Robert DeVisscher

1943 - 2025

Robert N. DeVisscher was born on December 16, 1943, to his parents Robert H. and Viola Newquist DeVisscher. He died on July 16, 2025.

In between those two momentous occasions was a life well-lived. In 1969 Bob married Elizabeth (Libby) Fields and almost exactly nine months later they welcomed their only child, Danielle Marie. In 1974 he and Libby, along with several family members opened River Rat Raft Rentals and a couple of years later expanded to offer white water trips. He was credited with making first descents on several California rivers.

Always an adventurer, Bob was severely injured in a climbing accident in 1987 and was confined to a wheelchair the rest of his life. Thanks to an incredibly optimistic outlook and inner strength that did not stop him from participating in four marathons, wheeling the entire 26.2 miles in a manual wheelchair, or from rafting the Grand Canyon and several other rivers. Bob had a big personality and was never, in all his 81 years, boring.

Besides Libby and Danielle (Cross), left to grieve his passing are his son-in-law Brad Cross, grandchildren Margot and Zane Cross and siblings Cherie (Mike) Simmons, Bill DeVisscher, and Lori (Roger) Chmelka, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Connie (Grant) Erhart and sister-in-law Dianne DeVisscher.

A celebration of Bob's life is being held on Saturday, September 6th at Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael at 11:00 a.m. in the picnic area across from the golf course.