Robert C. DeBlois

Robert C. DeBlois ’82 AM, of Seekonk, Mass.; Jan. 31. After completing his degree at UNH, he began teaching English at Bishop Keough High School in Pawtucket, R.I. and working at Upward Bound, a college prep program for first generation college students. He developed a relationship with Ted Sizer, founder of the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, and created programs to serve urban kids at risk of dropping out of school. In 1984 he founded SPIRIT, from which grew two schools, Blackstone Academy and UCAP. He served on many local boards and received numerous recognitions including the National Caring Award, the 2000 Rhode Island Middle School Principal of the Year, The Martin Luther King, Jr., Hall of Fame Award, and the 2018 Murray Family Prize. He was a lifelong activist, writer, and student of history and politics. Before his accident (he broke his neck diving into a river, leaving him a quadriplegic), he enjoyed hiking and skiing in the White Mountains, and watching his children develop the same appreciation for skiing, hiking, and nature that he had. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; a daughter; two sons; a daughter-in-law; three brothers; three sisters-in-law, including Paula Pillsbury DeBlois ’89; and several nieces and nephews.