Robert M. Salas

Robert M. Salas began his journey in Santa Paula, CA, born on October 22, 1937. He completed his service here on earth by going home to be with his heavenly father on February 2, 2018. He died peacefully at Cedar Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, CA at the age of 80, with his beautiful wife of 60 years and his family by his side. As he entered heaven on a beautiful morning listening to Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art and his favorite, Into the Garden, he was welcomed by those who preceded his passing, his parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces and many more family, friends, pets and loved ones.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Josie Salas, his son, John Salas (wife Karen), daughter Nancy Salas Torrence, daughter Lisa Salas Brown (husband Demetris). As decades passed, he was blessed with grandchildren, John Salas (Katrina), Sean Salas (Tasha), Chrisdon Drake (Denise), Selah Flores (Fabian), Matthew Drake (Dawn), Luke James Schmidt, Trent Torrence, Milan Brown, with grandchildren came great-grandchildren added to his life. (Brianna, Mikayla, Madison, Kellan, Maleah, Avery, Erica, Arabella, Luxely, Tristan, Richard and little Robert.) He is also survived by his brother Sam Salas (Annie), sisters Lydia Taylor and Alice Guevara, numerous generations of nephews, nieces, personal friends, and loved ones he called gifts placed in his life.

For close to three decades Robert was aware of his health failing, so he changed his mindset and focused on his faith, family, and community. Besides his community legacy, he also left us a gift of his notes, artwork, manuscript, and messages to reflect on when he was physically gone. He wrote and updated as much as he could, in alignment to his “just in case philosophy.” Priceless messages to his wife Josie, “Baby, I could write a thousand words, and it would not describe but 1/10th of how much I love you.” It is important to point out that Robert wanted each person who was placed in his life, whether family or friends, to know that he prayed for each of them daily, with the hope that they would build themselves strongly in faith and build others along the way.

Education, learning, investigating, community service were all passions in Robert’s life. He was born in Santa Paula, CA and graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1956, served in the U.S. Army as a Top Secret Crypto Service Clerk while being stationed in Korea. He came home and after exploring different jobs, he was determined to enter the profession of law enforcement. He completed the Police Academy, became a police officer and detective for his beloved Oxnard Police Department, then a District Attorney Investigator for the County of Ventura where he retired in 1992. During his tenure in law enforcement and providing for his family, he completed his A.A. degree from Ventura College, his B.A. from the University of La Verne, his certificate of completion for the FBI National Academy at the University of Virginia. He was an active member of the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Ventura Peace Officers’ Association, Ventura Chapter, Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers, and the Oxnard Retired & Friends “Fuzz that Was” Fellowship.

By building his skill set and capacity, he entered community service early as a youth ministry leader at the El Buen Pastor United Methodist church for many generations. His passion for future generations and his drive to support quality and equitable education for all, encouraged him to run and win the election to be a Santa Paula Union High School District Board Member. In his tenure of over a decade of public school board community service, he was actively involved in the Ventura County School Board Association, member of several committees and instrumental in keeping preservation of the northeast area of the county by serving as Vice President of Legislation and Vice President of Programs, he was also a member of the California School Board Association, CSBA Delegate Assembly 11B and later appointed to serve in the California School Board Small Schools Council to represent the state of California. As a board member, two of his greatest efforts and accomplishments were ensuring equitable access for students to enter college preparatory, honors, and advanced placement courses. Through the efforts of many, his joy was reading about Santa Paula High School students continuing their education, excelling in sports, giving back to the community and building future generations. Another student group that Robert advocated for was the student that wasn’t perfect, the one that faced struggles and that had challenges stacked against them. He was very proud of the CSBA Golden Bell Award for the incoming freshmen institute that supported area youth in the summer months before beginning their freshmen year and building the academic and leadership skills so they would be empowered entering high school. Robert Salas was recognized by the City of Santa Paula for creating the first drug hearings held at a high school setting in the state of California. As chairperson, along with the security director, the superintendent and a fellow board member, this committee met with the student, parents, and guardians to support expelled youth with resources to return to the main campus on track for graduation, social-emotional support for their needs, and a counselor aligned to their return.

It has been a pleasure for his family to reflect on his life. We would like to thank all those that gave him hope and love, especially this last year. Thank you to Dr. Duetsch for always having time to listen to Robert and care for him with dignity and respect. We miss him dearly, but could not have asked for a better person placed in our lives. Here’s to DJ’ing for KSPA in heaven and continuing to be our guardian angel here on earth.

Memorial Services for Robert M. Salas will be held Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Skillin Chapel (738 E. Santa Paula Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060) at 6:00 p.m. The family will be at the chapel at 4:00 p.m. for visitation, please feel free to stop by. On Friday, February 23, 2018, we will meet at the Santa Paula Cemetery (380 Cemetery Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060) at 10:00 a.m. for a graveside memorial and Military Honors.

If you would like to give in his honor, he asked in his ‘just in case philosophy’ to please donate to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of the Santa Clara Valley (Serving Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru) Mailing Address: PO Box 152, Santa Paula, CA 93061.