David Ballesteros

July 3, 1933 to August 5, 2021

Born in Los Angeles, one of eight children of the Reverend Leonardo and Rosa Garcia Ballesteros, brother of Robert, Sam, and Elizabeth and preceded in death by sisters Celia and Raquel and brothers Leonard and Ernesto. His father established the American Baptist Church of Tijuana, Mexico where he served for 31 years and the family lived in San Ysidro growing up. David credits his parents for instilling in their children the importance of learning English and excelling in education. Economically disadvantaged, he traveled with his family to migrant areas to harvest crops to make ends meet. From being an apricot and prune picker, he earned four degrees from prestigious universities and became a world traveler and well-established leader in education and community service.

David graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1950 and attended the University of Redlands for his BA and MBA, Middlebury College for his MA, and University of Southern California for his PhD in Latin American Studies. He taught at Hoover and Helix High Schools, City College, and Cuyamaca Community College and held a long career as a professor and administrator of higher education. In addition to serving at the University of Oklahoma and University of Texas and as a visiting professor for many years at universities in Ecuador and Baja California, he was Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at Sacramento State University, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, and Dean of the Campus at San Diego State University in Imperial Valley for 14 years. In 2007 the campus tower was named in his honor along with the David and Dolores Ballesteros Endowed Scholarship for SDSU students studying abroad. David also consulted for the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of State.

David and his wife, Dolores, loved to travel and visited more than 44 countries and Nation Islands. He felt being bilingual and bicultural is to better communicate with the world. In addition to more than 50 years in education, David was very active in the Home Neighborhood Service, YMCA, and Rotary International. A Rotarian since 1984, he held several positions in La Mesa Sunrise in District 5340 and was involved in many humanitarian projects. In his professional life, David received numerous recognitions and awards, such as the Spanish Government Scholarship at the University of Madrid and Outstanding Service Award from Rotary International.

David is survived by his beloved wife Dolores of 44 years; daughters Rita (Chris Ockenhouse) of Chevy Chase, MD, Maria Heberling of San Diego, Victoria Moore (Grant) of Sacramento; stepson, Todd Wells of Chino Hills; nine grandchildren, Lydia, Sunni (Jeremy), Kathryn (Bryan), Breyana (Tyler), Eric, Nate, Sarah, Gabriella, and Henry; and three great grandchildren. In addition to his parents and several siblings he was also preceded in death by his former wife, Carol. A viewing will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 22 with Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m. at Funeraria del Angel, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA; burial to follow at Glen Abbey in Bonita. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.