Passing of Mr. Robert K. DeSantis
Posted Date: 09/03/26 (09:04 PM)
Dear BPS Community:
Bristol Public Schools and our community have lost another giant with the passing of Robert K. DeSantis—a legendary educator, mentor, coach, athletic leader, and beloved member of the Bristol community.
Mr. DeSantis dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to Bristol Public Schools, serving generations of students at Bristol Central High School as a physical education teacher, coach, and Athletic Coordinator.
Since learning of his passing, I have been moved reading the many posts shared on social media by former students, athletes, colleagues, and community members. Their memories speak so powerfully to his dedication, his mentorship, his love of teaching, and the genuine care he had for the young people entrusted to him.
It is especially meaningful that Mr. DeSantis’ name was recently etched on the new scoreboard at Bristol Central High School. It now stands as a lasting symbol of the tremendous reverence, gratitude, and love this community has for a man who gave so much of himself to Bristol’s children.
May he rest in peace. My heartfelt sympathies are with his family, his friends, his former students and colleagues, and all whose lives were enriched by knowing him. His was truly a life of service and a life that made a difference.
You can read his obituary here: https://www.funkfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Robert-K-DeSantis?obId=49460105.
In sympathy,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools
Bristol Public Schools and our community have lost another giant with the passing of Robert K. DeSantis—a legendary educator, mentor, coach, athletic leader, and beloved member of the Bristol community.
Mr. DeSantis dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to Bristol Public Schools, serving generations of students at Bristol Central High School as a physical education teacher, coach, and Athletic Coordinator.
Since learning of his passing, I have been moved reading the many posts shared on social media by former students, athletes, colleagues, and community members. Their memories speak so powerfully to his dedication, his mentorship, his love of teaching, and the genuine care he had for the young people entrusted to him.
It is especially meaningful that Mr. DeSantis’ name was recently etched on the new scoreboard at Bristol Central High School. It now stands as a lasting symbol of the tremendous reverence, gratitude, and love this community has for a man who gave so much of himself to Bristol’s children.
May he rest in peace. My heartfelt sympathies are with his family, his friends, his former students and colleagues, and all whose lives were enriched by knowing him. His was truly a life of service and a life that made a difference.
You can read his obituary here: https://www.funkfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Robert-K-DeSantis?obId=49460105.
In sympathy,
Iris White
Superintendent of Schools