Bob Kafka, founder of and organizer for REV UP and ADAPT, died December 26 th in his home in Austin, TX. A leader in the disability rights movement at the national, state and local levels, Bob spent his adult life working to make the world a better place for people with disabilities. Born in the Bronx he served in the army during the Vietnam war and later became a lifetime member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. After the service, Bob came to Texas to attend the University of Houston for his undergraduate degree in Economics and graduate degree in Special Education. He was a founding member of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and served on the board of the Coalition for Barrier Free Living/Houston Center for Independent Living. He founded the Southwest Wheelchair Athletic Association as well. About five years ago a friend turned over hosting Barrier Free Futures, a weekly radio show on disability and aging, which aired on Santa Fe PBS Station KSFR and is also a podcast with the same name. His favorite phrases in later years were “Onward” and the Joe Hill quote “Don’t mourn, organize!” Bob is survived by his wife Stephanie Thomas, his sister Tina Darlow and his nieces and nephews Alex, Sara, Matthew (Judi), Andrew (Belinda), David, Zoe (James), Margaret (Jay), Ariel (David), and Jasper, and by his great nephews Tyler, Jacoby and Milo.
A memorial celebration will be held at the ADAPT office (1100 South IH 35, Austin, TX 78704 bus routes #7 and #20) on January 31, from 1pm to 4pm central time. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ADAPT of Texas.