Dr. Robert Garvin Bottoms

Dr. Robert Garvin Bottoms was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 28, 1944. He committed his life to broadening access to higher education, increasing diversity on university campuses, while prioritizing ethics and moral reflection in both leadership and his public life.

“Bob” graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham before attending the University of Virginia. He later transferred to Birmingham-Southern College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1966. Bob went on to earn a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a Doctor of Ministry from Vanderbilt University.

He began working in higher education as Chaplain, Assistant to the President and eventually Director of Development at Birmingham-Southern. He then returned to Vanderbilt’s Divinity School in 1975 as Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Ministry. In 1978, Bob accepted a position at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. First serving as Vice President for University Relations, Bob was later named Executive Vice President. Then in 1986, Bob was selected as the 18th President of DePauw, a role that defined much of his distinguished career, ultimately becoming its longest serving President.

During his 22 years as President, Bob led the University in developing a significantly more diverse student body, faculty and staff. Under his leadership, DePauw partnered with The Posse Foundation – a youth leadership development and college access organization that sends teams (Posses) of students from diverse backgrounds to selective colleges and universities across the country. In 2004, DePauw became the first college in the nation to host two Posse groups, one from New York City and another from Chicago.

Affectionately known as “Bob the Builder,” he transformed the campus with beautiful new buildings and collaborative learning spaces that would support student engagement. One of these spaces was the 520-acre DePauw University Nature Park, which provides unique science research and study opportunities for students and faculty members alike. It is also now home to the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics, which was one of his greatest passions. In 2008, Bob retired from the presidency and continued to serve as President Emeritus and DePauw’s first Director of the Ethics Institute.

After formally retiring from DePauw in 2010, Bob became the Interim Dean and President of Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He later worked as a consultant in many roles for the Episcopal Church, conducting leadership training for priests, clergy and lay people. Until his death, he remained an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.

Throughout his career and into retirement, Bob always loved a fine cigar, a smooth bourbon, a funny joke and a good book. He devotedly served on a number of Boards of Directors, through which he found meaning and purpose. These boards included the Center for Leadership Development, the Joyce Foundation, the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Seminary, the Posse Foundation and the Seabury Western Theological Seminary. In addition, in 2018 DePauw dedicated the Robert G. Bottoms Alumni and Development Center in recognition of his significant contributions and longstanding commitment to the University.

In 2020, he published A Story of Vision and Values: Memoirs of DePauw’s Eighteenth President chronicling his life, career and some of the critical decisions that shaped his world view.

With his passing, Bob is survived by his beloved wife, partner and best friend of 57 years, Gwendolyn; his son David of San Mateo Park, California and wife Kimberly Warner Bottoms; his daughter Leslie (Dailey) of Athens, Georgia and her husband Felton Dean Dailey II; in addition to four grandchildren – Connor (22), Tate (19), and Callie Bottoms (17) of San Mateo, and Noah Dailey (16) of Athens. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Holmes of Birmingham. Bob was greatly loved by his constant companion, Lexie, a 10-year-old Goldendoodle who brought him tremendous joy.

A service to celebrate Bob’s extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, February 14 at 10:30am at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens. Memorials may be made to the Bottoms Endowment for Off Campus Study at DePauw University, or to Emmanuel Episcopal Church to continue support of the work he deeply valued.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com