Robert Buford DeBlieux, usually known as Bobby DeBlieux (January 26, 1933–January 31, 2010), was an historian

Historian

A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...

, preservationist

Historic preservation

Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...

, painter

Painting

Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...

, author

Author

An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...

, business

Business

A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...

man, and a former Democratic

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

 of Natchitoches

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...

, the oldest city

City

A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...

 in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Louisiana

Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...

.

Family history, education, military

DeBlieux was the middle of three sons born in Natchitoches to Jefferson Davis "Jeff" DeBlieux, Jr. (1904–1984), and the former Marie Dell Roubieu (July 4, 1907 - April 11, 2002). Known as "Miss Pat", Mrs. DeBlieux was a devout Roman Catholic who attended mass daily and was like her middle son interested in historical preservation. Robert DeBlieux is named for his maternal grandfather. Mrs. DeBlieux's family came to Natchitoches in 1718, four years after the founding of the city. The ancestors of Jeff DeBlieux arrived in 1803, the year of the Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...

. DeBlieux's older and younger brothers were Jefferson DeBlieux, III (1930–1998), an engineer

Engineer

An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...

 from Houma

Houma, Louisiana

Houma is a city in and the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, and the largest principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's powers of government have been absorbed by the parish, which is now run by the Terrebonne Parish...

, the seat of Terrebonne Parish

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Terrebonne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Houma. Its population was 111,860...

 in south Louisiana, and Victor Dale DeBlieux (1941–1993) of Natchitoches. DeBlieux was a cousin

Cousin

In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...

 of the late State Senator

Louisiana State Legislature

The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...

 Joseph Davis DeBlieux

J.D. DeBlieux

Joseph Davis DeBlieux, known as J.D. DeBlieux ,was a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate who represented East Baton Rouge Parish from 1956 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1976. DeBlieux is remembered as a crusader for civil rights in Louisiana politics during the latter years of the era...

, who represented East Baton Rouge Parish from 1956–1960 and again from 1964-1976.

In 1956, DeBlieux received his bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...

 in fine arts and history

History

History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...

 from Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...

 (then Northwestern State College) in Natchitoches. He then served in the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 from 1956–1958, having been stationed in West Germany

West Germany

West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

. In 1960, he earned his Master of Science

Master of Science

A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...

 degree in counseling and psychology

Psychology

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...

 from Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...

 in Baton Rouge. In the early 1960s, DeBlieux was employed by the correctional office of the Natchitoches Parish juvenile court

Juvenile court

A juvenile court is a tribunal having special authority to try and pass judgments for crimes committed by children or adolescents who have not attained the age of majority...

. From 1965-1976, he was self-employed in the retail hardware

Hardware

Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....

 business. In 1976, he was elected mayor to succeed W. Ray Scott

W. Ray Scott

Walter Ray Scott, Sr., usually known as W. Ray Scott was from 1960 to 1976 the Democratic mayor of Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana...

, who had served for the preceding sixteen years.

DeBlieux had two daughters, both from Baton Rouge: Annie Camille "Cammie" Davis (born ca. 1959) and her husband, Randy Davis, Dené D. Mathies, and her husband, David Mathies, both from his first marriage to the former JoAnn Weaver (May 13, 1934–February 1979). The obituary does not mention the second wife. He was the proprietor of the Tante Huppe historic inn at 424 Jefferson Street in Natchitoches, a bed and breakfast

Bed and breakfast

A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...

 named for one of his ancestors. He was a nationally known authority on Louisiana architecture

Architecture

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...

 and engaged in landscape painting.

Natchitoches Historic District

As mayor, DeBlieux was instrumental in founding the Natchitoches Historic District

Natchitoches Historic District

Natchitoches Historic District, also known as Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District is a historic district in Natchitoches, Louisiana, the oldest permanent settlement in Louisiana. Natchitoches was founded by the French in 1714...

, which also includes the mammoth Cane River

Cane River

Cane River is a lake and river formed from a portion of the Red River that is located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it has been best known as the site of a historic Creole de couleur culture that has centers upon the National Historic Landmark Melrose...

 Creole National Historical Park. Within the district are seven National Historic Landmarks, three State Historic Sites, and historic plantation

Plantation

A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...

s, homes, and churches. Most of the 116000 acres (469.4 km²) is privately owned, but many sites are open to the public. The district extends thirty-five miles and covers both banks of the Cane River, once the principal tributary of the Red River. DeBlieux filed the application for federal landmark designation. The Natchitoches District and Vieux Carre

Vieux Carre

Vieux Carré may refer to:*New Orleans's French Quarter* Vieux Carré, a play by Tennessee Williams...

 in New Orleans are the only such historic districts in Louisiana. The area had deteriorated prior to the historical designation, and over several years the downtown area was revitalized.

State preservation officer

DeBlieux was defeated for reelection as mayor in 1980 by fellow Democrat Joe Sampite , who served until 2000. DeBlieux was then named as Assistant Secretary and Preservation Officer for the State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, initially under the appointment of Republican

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 Governor

Governor

A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...

 David C. Treen

David C. Treen

David Conner "Dave" Treen, Sr. , was an American attorney and politician from Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana – the first Republican Governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He was the first Republican in modern times to have served in the U.S...

 and continued under Treen's successor (and predecessor), Democrat Edwin Washington Edwards. In this position, DeBlieux succeeded in designating forty-two National Register districts within Louisiana.

In 1989, DeBlieux was the local assistant in the film

Film

A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...

ing in Natchitoches of Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross that stars Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts....

, starring Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...

 and Sally Field

Sally Field

Sally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...

 in a picture which is said to have captured the civic spirit of the community, still known for its brick

Brick

A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...

 streets downtown.

In the 1990s, DeBlieux worked in the tourism

Tourism

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...

 industry about Matchez

Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...

, Mississippi

Mississippi

Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...

. He was for five years the chief executive officer

Chief executive officer

A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...

 of the Garden Club in Natchez.

DeBlieux's historic preservation endeavors include his establishment of Museum Contents, Inc., a non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 dedicated to preserving the history of Natchitoches. He has also been president and a board member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation. DeBlieux said that Natchitoches has done more than most cities its size to preserve its history: "Natchitoches Parish is special, because it's maintained its visual heritage. . . . For instance, the plantation houses here are in their original settings and not influenced by a lot of industrial and modern encroachments. A visitor here really feels like he’s stepping back in time.”

Civic endeavors

DeBlieux had been involved too in the American Legion

American Legion

The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...

. He was a member of the Natchitoches Christmas

Christmas

Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...

 Festival Committee, a major event in central Louisiana which is held on the first Saturday of December and draws tens of thousands of visitors into the community. The downtown and Cane River areas are vividly lit during the holiday season through New Years week. DeBlieux was also been involved in the Louisiana Trails Council and the Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...

. At twenty-seven, he was the president of the Natchitoches Jaycees from 1960-1961.

The DeBlieux Collection

His DeBlieux Collection in the archives of NSU contains the papers of interrelated Natchitoches families spanning more than two centuries. Featured are the Natchitoches pioneer families: Brezeale, Cloutier, Huppe, Hyams, Janin, Lambre, Metoyer, Prudhomme, and Walmsley, many of which intermarried. The topics include social customs, business affairs, home schooling of children, legal cases, political insight, and civic service. There are also the financial records of the DeBlieux & McCain store from 1902-1939. There are also some documents on the career of the legendary Huey Pierce Long, Jr.

Huey Long

Huey Pierce Long, Jr. , nicknamed The Kingfish, served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana from 1928–1932 and as a U.S. Senator from 1932 to 1935. A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies. Though a backer of Franklin D...

, in the collection.

DeBlieux was a coauthor of Natchitoches and Louisiana's Timeless Cane River. Another DeBlieux work is A Walking Tour of the Natchitoches Historic District, which focuses on the old Kaffie-Friedrick Hardware building. He also published Historic Black Churches of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

DeBlieux died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge only five days after his 77th birthday. Services were held on February 4, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches 10:00 am, with interment at American Cemetery. His parents are interred at the Catholic Cemetery of Natchitoches.