Robert Buford "Bobby" DeBlieux was born January 26, 1933 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Mr. DeBlieux received his B.S. degree in Fine Arts and History from Northwestern State College in 1956. From 1956 through 1958 he served in the U.S. Army. In 1960 DeBlieux earned his M.S. degree in Counseling and Psychology from Louisiana State University. From 1958 through 1965 he was employed by the Correctional Office of the Natchitoches Parish Juvenile Courts. From 1965 until 1976 he was self-employed in the hardware retail business. After leaving the hardware business, DeBlieux served as Mayor of Natchitoches from 1976 to 1980. In this position, he was instrumental in founding the Natchitoches Historic District. During the 1980s he served as Assistant Secretary and Preservation Officer for The State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. In the 1990's DeBlieux was involved in various facets with Mississippi's tourism industry in Natchez.
DeBlieux has always proven to an involved citizen, particularly in the area of historic preservation. DeBlieux was founder of Musuem Contents, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Natchitoches. He has also been President and Board Member of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Other civic memberships of DeBlieux include: The American Legion, Natchitoches Christmas Festival Committee, Louisiana Trails Council and the Boy Scouts of America. He has been married twice, and has two daughters. Currently, DeBlieux is proprietor of the Tante Huppe historic inn in Natchitoches, and continues to be active in historic preservation. He is also an avid painter.
From the description of Robert DeBlieux Collection 1752-2003. (Northwestern State University of Louisiana). WorldCat record id: 54077744
