Robert Stephen Elkins

the age of 84. He was surrounded by love at home, and

died in peace.

Bob was born in Los Angeles, CA, on July 18th, 1936. He

was a loving husband to Ling, a wonderful father to his

four children, Debbi, Laura, Sandy and Arnold, and devoted

to his late parents, Nate and Rose, and his three brothers

Paul, Richard and Phillip.

Bob was a college professor with a strong interest in

philosophy. He graduated from the University of Southern

California and received a Doctorate in Education. His

teaching career spanned 40 years, from Los Angeles, to Cal

State Chico, to Humboldt University, to the University of

Nevada Reno, to New Zealand where he taught as an

exchange professor.

He met Ling at a folk dancing event at Chico State. They

were married August 4th, 1979 in Reno, Nevada, where they

lived for many years until they settled in Novato, CA. Theirs

was a happy marriage. They loved each other deeply and

enjoyed each other’s company. Bob and Ling traveled

around the world together, to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan,

Japan, Fiji, Singapore, the Philippines, Israel, Holland,

Australia, England, France, and Italy among many other

wonderful places. They liked taking cruises and enjoyed

family gatherings. Bob was a good man who lived a good life.

Bob was a life-long learner, and a role model in

perseverance and resilience. He was an intellectual who

strived to always improve himself and loved to teach and

encourage others. Despite being hearing impaired, he was

active in Toastmasters, philosophy groups at his synagogue,

and active in chess and reading clubs. He was an advocate

for the deaf community, and he didn’t let his hearing

difficulty stand in his way of all he wanted to do. He learned

Hebrew and had his Bar Mitzvah at the young age of 77.

When the Internet was still in its infancy, Bob and two

friends created the Say What Club (SWC), an international

organization for the deaf and hearing impaired.

Affectionately known to SWC as “Bob Deafie,” he reached

out to introduce people to online communication long before

it was popular, ending their isolation in the hearing world.

His love and devotion for creating a sense of community,

especially among his SWC friends, made him beloved. Some

of the members married, crediting him as the matchmaker.

Even when traveling to other countries, Bob made a special

effort to sign with deaf and hearing-impaired people.

Bob had an engaging and outgoing personality. He was very

funny. He loved playing practical jokes as a teenager, and

he continued to make everyone laugh with his sense of

humor. He had a passion for reading, writing, philosophy,

travel, and bike riding. He enjoyed music, and played the

piano and clarinet for many years. He was a devoted family

man who valued his time with his loved ones, and let you

know it. He was interested in everyone and prone to strike

up a conversation with anyone he met.

Bob is survived by his wife Ling, daughter Deborah

(Steve), daughter Laura (Michael), son Sandy (Helen), son

Arnold (Alice); nine grandchildren Keith, Mariah, Madelaine,

Ashley, Zachary, Kayla, Austin, Ryan and Sadie; his brothers

Paul (Rose), Richard (Nancy), and Phillip (Nancy); and his

many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff on

Monday, June 14th at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in his honor to the

SayWhatClub Organization.

Immediately following the services, please join the family in a celebration of life at the Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson Street in Red Bluff. Lunch will be served.