Bob Dumouchel’s first encounter with Eagle Robotics was in January 2004 when he replied to an email addressed to info@softec.org. The message was from a parent on the team charged with fundraising that year. She had been referred to Softec as a source of multiple potential donors. Her message suggested that the team offered Softec an opportunity to achieve one of its stated goals of supporting STEM educational programs in the community.
Not only did Softec provide a monetary donation that year, Bob personally volunteered as a technical mentor and accompanied the team to competition. He also was instrumental in production of the team buttons by printing multiple pages of the button artwork on his company’s laser printer for several years.
Bob was influential in Softec’s support of youth robotics programs throughout northern Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County. Under his leadership Softec established a non-profit education fund to provide for them financially, and initiated an annual Robotics Expo that put a spotlight on everything from elementary age Lego Mindstorms to corporate business ventures in the world of robotics. The event grew quite large, even included underwater robots at the SLO Elks Lodge pool!
It is with respect and gratitude Eagle robotics dedicates the 2026 season in memory of Bob Dumouchel.