for fun and is not collecting any money for this site. "It has seven bedrooms, but more importantly it has six bathrooms," says Robert DeBolt. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, Robert and Dorothy DeBolt in October of 1977. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Dorothy and Bob Debolt with grandmother ad children: Mike, 29, Michelle, 28, Stephanie, 26, Noel, 24, Martin, 23, Tich, 22, Ahn, 22, Dat, 21, Trang, 18, Doni, 17, Melanie, 17, Lee, 17, Twe, 16, John Robert (J.R.) 13, Thong, 11, Karen, 10, Sunee, 10, and Wendy, 9, in October of 1977. "What she really fixed me up with was a sexy, intelligent woman," says Robert DeBolt. Because of these handicaps, the child has to take a close look at himself at an early age. I was on the phone with this woman, and God said, 'Okay, Dora, why don't you take them?' Her goal was to allow every child to have a permanent home.. Robert DeBolt remembered as tireless adoption, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Robert DeBolt remembered as tireless adoption advocate. Want to know more? We decided to show it by adopting children.". But now, he's so motivated he's driving us crazy." Hes not. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Many of those they adopted had physical or emotional disabilities and most though not all were from other countries. After that, there was a book. It was a story Dorothy Atwood DeBolt enjoyed telling, one that any harried parent of young children might find somewhat familiar. Then she asked me to take a friend of hers to a Christmas party they were having. DeBolt went on to serve in the Air Force, ultimately retiring as a lieutenant. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? "I'm ungainfully employed." Together, they found new adventures through fly fishing, hiking and traveling the world. cemeteries found in Ankenytown, Knox County, Ohio, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Cause A Commotion Loud Hound Lyrics, You can also look at it the other way. "We have a tendency to underestimate the adaptability of children," says Robert DeBolt. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasnt followed: What should you do? She also found little hate notes in her mailbox: "Why don't you take these little bastard children and move out? When she found out that he was talking to a much younger girl, she told him to "take care of the problem." There are no babysitters, and a cleaning woman comes only occasionally. Can I go to the playground after school?, DeBolt replied: Sure, honey, but be home by 5, and hung up. "Now, people run around saying, 'The DeBolts live here! DOROTHY AND Robert DeBolt have 20 children. I remember my mother -- she's Swedish -- used to say to me, 'Doora,' " she says, mimicking her mother's Swedish accent, " 'you haf to learn to listen to God through yoor ea-hers, not through your stoo-mach.' I fell in love on the first date, Dorothy told The Times in 1988. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. ", She is 58. Vernon, C. B. Leedy of Palmyra, Mrs. J. C. Hess of Fredericktown, Mrs. J. F. Amos of Fredericktown, Mrs. Fred Merrln of Mt. 0 cemeteries found in Ankenytown, Knox County, Ohio, USA. ", Their family has been a success, they say, but it has not been without problems. "It was a blind date. In the late 1960s, she was a widow with nine kids when a friend set her up on a blind date with Bob DeBolt, a civil engineer who was recently divorced and had one child. See additional information. One saw his parents killed in a bombing, and some were wounded in war. Try again. 11 Strict Rules That Elon Musk Makes His Girlfriends & Wives Follow, Justin Bieber Suspected As The Father Of Kourtney Kardashian's Son Reign (Instead Of Scott Disick), Why Kate Moss Was 'Scared' & 'Couldn't Get Out Of Bed For Weeks' After Working With Mark Wahlberg. At first, Longoria told investigators that he hadn't seen DeBolt since they first met in July and had been at a bar last night, but they were able to determine that he was involved after Longoria was arrested on vehicular burglary charges when he attempted to leave the state. "We took out the television set about seven years ago -- that's what caused friction and arguing," said Dorothy DeBolt. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Among his other achievements and accolades, Bob DeBolt served as a board member for the National Council on Adoption in Washington, D.C., and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Some are blind, some have a combination of problems. In 2010, 14-year-old DeBolt was killed by a much older man she'd been texting and seeing at parties, Adam Longoria, and fortunately, he's since been brought to justice, although the lives of everyone who loved DeBolt will obviously never be the same. Nor did she figure out which neighbor child might have made that errant call. "I don't mean to be Pollyana-ish . Nicole Pomarico is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in Cosmo, Us Weekly, Refinery29, and more. What Happened To Alicia DeBolt? So when the monster killed my baby girl, he not only took my miracle baby, he took part of all of our lives away, part of my spirit, zest for life and the happiness my Alicia would have brought to me now and the rest of my life," Conrad said. And they try to talk about the problems. Swims like one, too.". Dorothy DeBolt, who laughed along with her family whenever she misplaced the names of the many children she did have, may not have had a daughter named Jennifer. (My parents) believed that children should be raised not in an institution but in a nurturing, lifelong loving family, Doni DeBolt said. A system error has occurred. But I tell my kids, 'You're so much luckier than I was.' . The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She answered and a child said: Mom, this is Jennifer. Susie DoBolt, wife of B C. DeBolt, died at her home near Palmyra Monday noon of a complication of diabetes. Known to find good in everyone and humor . This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. There is a problem with your email/password. These included children like those in their family who came from abusive homes, had physical handicaps and those from Vietnam who had injuries from the war. Thanks for your help! To that end, they founded Adopt A Special Kid (AASK), which in 2015 became part of Lilliput Childrens Services. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. It is a large, old, three-story house. "She didn't marry me," he says. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. "We had a tendency to scold and say 'You're bad,' instead of saying, 'You're such a good child. RELATED: Woman And Four Kids Killed By Husband; Weeks Later He Was Found Driving Around With Her Body In Van. Please enter your email and password to sign in. By Nicole Pomarico Written on Mar 30, 2020. The DeBolts later adopted their 20th child, Reynaldo, a Mexican street kid with a paralyzed leg who was part of a sequel. If she'd said he wanted a sexy broad, I would have said 'No way.' Every big newspaper prints obituaries every day, of course. At the time, Longoria was dating a woman named Eva Brown. As embodiments of the postive mental attitude that Stone espouses, the DeBolts certainly qualify. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Through the years, they adopted 10 more children to increase their family size to 20 kids. Try again later. It is a large, old, three-story house. "Now, when we left home, it was 20," says Robert DeBolt straight-faced, "but it might be more." Actually, only seven of those 20 live in the DeBolt home in Piedmont, Calif., near San Francisco. Try again later. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? She is survived also by five sisters and two brothers, namely: Mrs. C. D, Martin of Ankenytown,Mrs. "Jean called and said, 'I know you don't ordinarily do this, but I'd love you to meet this guy. ), They always eat dinner together -- at two tables pushed together when necessary. "We're not going to say we don't. The reaction in Piedmont had been mixed since Dorothy DeBolt had arrived. Is the vulgar anti-Tesla sign on my neighbors truck illegal? Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. "We felt very blessed. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. "A woman asked if I could recruit families for these two 14-year-olds. The Democratic banner., January 20, 1922, Page PAGE THREE, Image 3MRS. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. ". This neighbor said the DeBolts were some of the most caring family she had ever seen and the amount of love in that family was admirable. It was the Vietnam war and I had these Amerasian children." Thats the kind of ringside seat to miracles weve had.. "God knows we've had enough chances.". To say that theirs is a diverse household is an understatement. Failed to report flower. Born on Aug. 19, 1931 in Amarillo, Texas, Robert Wesley DeBolt went on to graduate from the University of New Mexico in 1955 with a degree in civil engineering. Why would you do such a dumb thing?' She probably fixed me up on 110 dates. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Obviously a lady in the finest sense of the word. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). While serving, he married his first wife, Audre Kellogg, in 1958, a union that produced Doni. Known to find good in everyone and humor in many situations, DeBolt is survived by 18 of his 20 children plus 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She ended up welcoming the DeBolts with open arms and her husband, a dentist, got his practice and other neighbors around them to help set up the children with dental benefits. There was an error deleting this problem. But most of them nowadayscontrary to days that I . Karen, 16, who uses artificial limbs, walks eight blocks to high school and was voted outstanding musician at her school. Still, Longoria continued contacting Brown, though DeBolt questioned him when she started getting text messages from Brown herself. ", Dorothy DeBolt already had given birth to five children and adopted two Amerasian children when her first husband, an insurance broker, died. ", "But then it came full circle," she says. The Democratic banner., January 20, 1922, Page PAGE THREE, Image 3 MRS. SUSIE DEBOLT DIES AT PALMYRA Mrs. Susie DoBolt, wife of B C. DeBolt, died at her home near Palmyra Monday noon of a complication of diabetes. Movies. Russell DeBolt passed away on March 6, 2019 in Kalkaska, Michigan. Sorry! Tech, restaurant, logistics layoffs trigger more than 300 Bay Area job cuts, Shooting in Oakland hotel parking lot puts man in critical condition, East Bay lawmaker blasts open sore at BART, resigns from Senate committee, Skygazers will have a great view Wednesday of two planets that look like they are almost touching, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Her body was found four days later. Police found DeBolt's body after employees at an asphalt plant noticed what they thought was a burned mannequin surrounded by flies. "When she first came, everyone stared. The couple, who founded an Oakland-based nonprofit adoption agency for special needs children, taught their own to be self-reliant and to live independently. GREAT NEWS! Weve updated the security on the site. The man who owned the company I ran -- his wife was an avocational matchmaker . Some of the adopted children are paraplegic or have other physical handicaps. Born Dec. 29, 1923, in San Francisco, Dorothy was the elder of two children of Esther and Michael Nortier. Search above to list available cemeteries. Drag images here or select from your computer for Susannah Evangeline Susie Leedy DeBolt memorial. And Where Did They Get 19 Kids?, which won an Academy Award and was narrated and produced by actor Henry Winkler. Dorothy DeBolt and her first husband, Ted Atwood, had five children in the 1950s when they adopted two Amerasian boys who were products of the Korean War. "But his greatest handicap was his lack of self-esteem," says Dorothy DeBolt. SUSIE DEBOLT DIES AT PALMYRAMrs. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. They watch it on weekends. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. After creating the Sidney Dearing website, a woman who had moved from Berkeley to Piedmont in the 70s was eager to talk to me but not knowing how to find me, went to our Chief of Police in Piedmont (2021) asking for my contact information. She looked like a seal with her stumps flapping. She was nominated by their 22-year-old daughter, Doni, who joined the growing family when her father and Dorothy were married. Mrs. DoBolt Was 55 years of age and was quite well known In Mt. Two months later, with nine children, she met Robert DeBolt. "She was a doll," he says. Dorothy DeBolt received the 1982 "Endow a Dream" Award from the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation. subject of two films, including an Oscar-winning documentary. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. The DeBolts also encouraged other adults to adopt children, especially those with special needs. Before midnight that night, DeBolt was spotted leaving her house, at which point court documents claimed thatLongoria"lured Alicia into his vehicle by telling her there was a party with some of her friends and that alcohol was available." Last night, there was an award. "She's there a few hours and her eyes glaze over," says Dorothy DeBolt. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. And the local school system, the DeBolts say, supported what they were doing from the start. Family members linked to this person will appear here. This devotion to children led to the founding of AASK in 1973, the first adoption agency in the country to focus on finding homes for children with special needs. Anyone who would treat a 14-year-old child the way he did, hes not a man. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. (Not associated with the Piedmont Historical Society in Piedmont, California). With life insurance money, she put a down payment on the house in Piedmont. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Drew Carey's Ex-Fianc Allegedly Murdered By Ex-Boyfriend In Hollywood Hills. Try again later. She was making $775 a month. (Staff Archivess). Bob DeBolt, an acclaimed public speaker, recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, recognized by the U.S. Congress and four presidents and once appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the President's Committee on Youth and Families, died Jan. 24 in El Cajon at age 84. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. He's a lovely man, good with kids.' She told me about how horrible the family and the children were first treated when they got to Piedmont. New Details On 14-Year-Old Kansas Cheerleader Murdered By Adam Longoria, Woman And Four Kids Killed By Husband; Weeks Later He Was Found Driving Around With Her Body In Van, Rapper Baby Soulja Charged With Murder What We Know, Longoria was sentenced to serve life in prison, Groom Invites His Nephews To His Wedding But Excludes Brother's Stepdaughter Her Mom Is Debating Whether To Attend, What Jon Hamm Says Changed His Mind About Marriage After Swearing It Off During His 18-Year Relationship With Jennifer Westfeldt, Man Insists Landlords Should Get Tipped By Tenants If They're Going To Tip Baristas, How Did Dr. Amie Hardwick Die? "Dorothy and I have made more mistakes than other parents," says Robert DeBolt. Later, through an investigation, they were able to determine that Longoria had raped and then killed DeBolt before pouring gas on her body and setting it on fire. We felt the need to say 'Hey, God, thank you, we're lucky.' Five children are from Dorothy DeBolt's previous marriage. Vernon, where she visited on many. She was never seen alive again. The phone rang one day as the busy mother raced around her home, getting ready for an out-of-town trip and wrapping up housework before her kids got home. One child they adopted together was J.R. -- 10 years old, wheelchair-bound, blind, 40 pounds overweight from having been treated as a vegetable and stuffed with food in one temporary home after another. Story soon pic.twitter.com/gW2mpqsRmp, Sherman Smith (@sherman_news) March 6, 2015. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Oops, something didn't work. We wouldnt expect any less from him because hes not a man, DeBolt's stepsister, Dawn, said at the time. Neither was expecting much when Bob arrived at her Spanish-style home. (made before they got the 20th). The blended family grew, with each new child learning to contribute to the household and support the others. To use this feature, use a newer browser. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Tallahassee Democrat - Thu - Feb. 15, 1979. These are either the son of Abraham and a second wife, or Mary did not die in 1748. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Year should not be greater than current year. Started on 4/20/2021. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. I don't know how my mother put up with me. Arleen Ng staff 6/17/00 Tribune CueLy DeBolt of Berkeley has a talk with her adoptive father Robert, 69, at Temescal Park in Oakland during their family reunion. "I was working part-time, teaching piano and speaking. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Many of the kids of the DeBolts were from other countries and some had severe disabilities. I got a note from a neighbor one time that said, 'You, Dorothy, are a traitor to this country.' It has placed 3,500 children in California and thousands more through its affiliates around the country. . Most of all, Bob and Dorothy made the highest use of their public speaking abilities to advocate for multiracial, single-parent and sibling-group adoptions. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. "No one pays any attention to her," says Robert DeBolt. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Aside from his passion for helping children, those who knew Bob DeBolt recalled his love for green chiles. Learn more about managing a memorial . "They would sit and stare at the boob tube and argue about who's going to watch what." After the DeBolts were married, they moved into the Piedmont house, with Robert bringing his 10-year-old-daughter, Doni. We have set your language to She stopped playing professionally after starting a family but taught all her children to play and enjoy music. RELATED: Rapper Baby Soulja Charged With Murder What We Know. Mrs. DoBolt Was 55 years of age and was quite well known In Mt. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Some of their neighbors would throw rotten eggs and tomatoes at the yard and while yelling "to go back to where they came from." Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. . Longoria did not show up to his own sentencing. Three Bay Area men, including justice reform activist, plead guilty in Norteo RICO murder case, Californias hardest to book campground isnt in a famous park. . All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The girl, named Wendy, soon did, after a corneal transplant that restored the sight in one eye. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? The largest number of children in the house at one time was 16. DeBolt, whose family became the subject of two films, including an Oscar-winning documentary, died of cardiac arrest at her El Cajon home. Verify and try again. I might have been 35 when I took a close look at myself. The family included adopted children who were paraplegics and others afflicted by polio, spina bifida, paralysis and blindness. ", "We're not martyrs or saints," says Robert DeBolt. Actually, only seven of those 20 live in the DeBolt home in Piedmont, Calif., near San Francisco. The remaining 14 were adopted. "But we're very unritualistic. "She adopted me. ", The Cincinnati Enquirer - Fri - Apr. PIEDMONT Robert "Bob" Wesley DeBolt and his late wife, Dorothy, made it their mission in life to help as many children as they possibly could, whether as biological parents, stepparents or . For the next two months, he would continue texting her, attempting to get her into his car. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. They were even the subject of an Academy Award-winning 1977 documentary, Who Are the DeBolts, and Where Did They Get 19 Kids? Bob DeBolt also was named Father of the Year by The Fathers Day/Mothers Day Council Inc. in 1981. Surprisingly, it worked. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. A civil engineer by profession, he gave up his job as president of an Oakland construction company to help start the adoption agency and launch a full-time speaking career. "After people realized what we were doing, they really tried to help." DeBolt and 36-year-old Adam Longoria began talking after meeting at a party. They have a folder of material on themselves and a list of suggested speech topics: "Love, Laughter, and Twenty Kids," "From Burn-Out to Bonfire," "Parenting in the '80s," "Society Says 'Handicapped' -- We Say 'Challenged.' ", On Robert DeBolt's right hand is a large, oval turquoise ring. The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld Adam Longoria's capital murder conviction for killing Alicia DeBolt. When Longoria was sentenced to serve life in prison without parole in 2012, he waived his right to appear, refusing to face DeBolt's family himself. "I became a corporate dropout," he says. She attended UC Berkeley, then became a professional pianist, joining a San Francisco combo that played boogie woogie and other popular music. I told her, 'No more.' I was so boy crazy, so moody. There was a problem getting your location. Created by a Piedmont, California resident, Meghan Bennett. Owl Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57374100/susannah-evangeline-debolt. Though he flirted with her, DeBolt told Longoria she only wanted to be friends, though at the timehe told her he was only 25. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. I always think I can give some hope to ladies out there who have kids and think theyll never get married again.. Please try again later. He and my mom were passionate about making the world a better place for children in foster care, Doni DeBolt said. As it grew, the DeBolt family gained a measure of celebrity, too. The night of August 21, DeBolt and Longoria exchanged a series of text messages, including one where she gave him her address. DeBolt's story is featured on the Investigation Discovery showWeb of LiesIn an episode called "Be Right Back. It the story of a woman, excuse me, a lady, Dorothy DeBolt, born in 1903, who had a heart bigger than a watermelon. He has gray hair, thick eyebrows and a strong face. I really hated to hear the phone ring -- I thought it was Jean with another body. She went darting around the house, cupping the chins of her brothers and sisters and laughing out loud for the sheer joy of seeing for the first time, Dorothy DeBolt said in a 1988 Times interview. On his left hand is a gold wedding band that matches his wife's. My stomach said, 'yes.' He is 51. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The email does not appear to be a valid email address. pic.twitter.com/JisVuiFndO, kansasdotcom (@kansasdotcom) March 6, 2015. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. is a former sports writer for the Bay Area News Group who especially enjoys soccer and baseball. based on information from your browser. Police found DeBolt's body after employees at an asphalt plant noticed what they thought was a burned mannequin surrounded by flies. After Atwood died in 1963, Dorothy took in two more both disabled youngsters from Vietnam. ", "Would you believe," says Robert DeBolt, leaning forward in his chair, "we're on the Gray Line tour?