Robert Wesley DeBolt (Bob), nationally recognized as Â'Father of the Year' and an acclaimed public speaker featured in the Academy Award winning documentary "Who Are the DeBolts and Where Did They Get 19 Kids", passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2016.

Bob was born in Amarillo, Texas on August 19, 1931 to Mary Elizabeth and Russell Edwin DeBolt of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering and a lifelong pride in Sigma Chi Fraternity, which honored him as a "Significant Sig". While Bob proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired as a lieutenant, he married Audre' Kellogg and they had one daughter.

As a professional Civil Engineer and single father, Bob moved to Oakland, CA in 1967, where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Atwood, on a blind date in 1970. Six months later they married and Bob's daughter, Dorothy's 9 biological and adopted children made a new family of ten. Over the next few years, the couple adopted 10 more children and founded AASK (Adopt a Special Kid) in 1973, the first adoption agency in the country to focus on placing special needs children; children like those in their family with physical handicaps, children from abusive homes and war-injured children from Vietnam.

AASK placed over 3,500 children into loving homes and in 2015 became a part of Lilliput Children's Services (Lilliput.org, (916) 678-7254), which continues the mission of placing Special Kids.

Using their talent for public speaking, Bob and Dorothy advocated for change in adoption to include sibling groups, multi-racial adoptions and single parent adoptions. Bob was appointed by President Carter to the President's Committee on Youth and Families and served as a board member of the National Council on Adoption in Washington, D.C. and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. In addition, Bob was honored by 4 U.S. Presidents and Congress and given numerous honorary degrees and awards.

Bob and Dorothy moved to El Cajon, California in 1987 and found new adventures hiking, fly fishing and traveling around the world.

Bob loved green chiles, was always able to find the humor in any situation and the good in everyone. His ability to unconditionally love each of his children was one of his many strengths. He is survived by 18 of his 20 children, 27 grandchildren and 6 great grand-children.

Having him as our father was a gift without measure. We will carry his love and laughter in our hearts forever.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert DeBolt

6 Entries

Cheryl Keil

May 29, 2018

RIP Bob, Dorothy, Twe, and JR. The Lord shall bless you and keep you

Bob & his B.W. (Beautiful Wife).

Gini Araiza

February 29, 2016

The world is a little 'dimmer' without the light that WAS and IS Bob DeBolt. I have had the distinct privilege of working for and with this amazing man for the past eighteen years. Never have I had a better "Boss". He was a consummate gentleman and a great and amazing mentor. Every day when I left the office, he would say "Bye, Gini and thank you for all you do." Bob DeBolt made coming to work a pleasure. He told me shortly after being hired that he thought I made the best coffee he had ever drank. A mystery to me since I didn't drink coffee. Bob would go home for lunch almost every day and I would tell him to say hello to the B.W. (Beautiful Wife). He spoke about his beloved Dorothy as if he had just married her yesterday. Their love was an amazing journey and what marriage should always be and theirs was all that and more.
R.I.P. dear Bob. I shall miss your shining light until the day I see you again.

February 28, 2016

Hi,
My name is Eve. I had the pleasure of meeting Bob when I was very young. I met his son, Phong. He invited me for a weekend to stay with the family. I remember sitting at a really big dinning table with everyone and having a great time. Bob called himself "Sir wonderful of Wildwood". Even though it has been many years he and the family made such a lasting impression on me. Sorry I did not hear of Bob's passing until now as I no longer live in San Diego.

Best regards,
Eve

Robyn Bottomley

February 28, 2016

Nothing but wonderful memories of Bob and Dorothy during the times I was their "roadie" as we traveled throughout the United States and Canada. Bob was both positive and "real" to everyone he met. Bob and Dorothy left this world a better place for all that they did.

Lisa Saneda

February 28, 2016

Bob was a wonderful person who cared about everyone. I always enjoyed working with him and Dorothy at ECPAC as they were board members who understood the importance of their roles. I would occassionally stop by Bob and Jim's office just to enjoy talking to some very classy people. Bob was the salt of the earth.

Donna Ledbetter

February 28, 2016

I have known Mr. DeBolt since 1979.The way he looks in this picture was exactly how he looked everytime I saw him. Always, happy, positive and to have 19 kids and still smiling! I am so lucky to have known this man. God broke the mold when he made him!I cant tell you how much I will miss him

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results