Robert Divelbiss

ROBERT DOUGLAS DIVELBISS

2/17/1945 – 5/4/2015

Iowa City

R. Douglas Divelbiss, 70, died Monday, May 4, 2015, in Phoenix, Ariz.

He was born in Wilkinsburg, Pa., to Robert M. and Dorothy A. Divelbiss.

He is survived by Jane, his beloved wife of 45 years; son, R. Skip Divelbiss and wife Tiffany of Phoenix; daughter, Katherine Divelbiss Clary and husband Brian of Huntsville, Ala.; 1-month-old granddaughter, Penelope Clary; aunt, Jane Shaffer of Glendale, Ariz.; and sisters, Lynn Balego of Irwin, Pa., and Nancy Divelbiss of Industry, Pa.

Doug received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and attended pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. While there, he met his wife, Jane. Upon graduation, he was stationed at Phan Rang, Vietnam, where he flew C-123 cargo planes. After returning to the states he flew C-141 transport planes out of McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. At the completion of his military career, he received his M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University.

Doug worked in operations for CitiBank in New York; First National Bank of Chicago; and National Computer Systems (NCS) in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1999, Doug became site manager for the Census 2000 Data Capture Center with NCS-Pearson in Phoenix. This marked the first time the government outsourced the capture of census data to a private company. At the conclusion of a successful census project, Doug became part of the international division and did special projects in Australia, London and Canada. In 2010, he returned to Phoenix as site manager for the Census 2010 Paper Capture Center. Doug impacted the lives of over 10,000 during the census projects, whether through employment or community outreach. Doug retired in July 2012.

After retirement, Doug became a member of the Arrowhead Country Club and enjoyed countless rounds of golf with a great group of golf friends. He was a member of Community of Grace Church and the Men's Bible Study Group.

After spending 10 years in Iowa City, he was an avid Hawkeye fan, and growing up in western Pennsylvania, he never lost his love for Steeler football.

Doug was a good friend, beloved husband and father, and lived his life with the highest level of humility, honesty and integrity.

A celebration of Doug's life will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381.

The family requests memorial donations be made to either the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or by calling 1-(800) 227-2345 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.