Louis Rios
Louie, the pride and joy of Severiano “CB” Alvarado Rios and Felipa “Lipa” Hernandez Rios, was born on March 23, 1945, at St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA — the beloved oldest brother of Cecilia, Gerard, and Gerianne, and the rascal of the Hernandez, Alvarado, and Rios familias.
As a chavalito on Cloer Avenue in Goleta (right off Fairview Avenue), Louie and the kids from that barrio had the freedom to roam and play in the citrus and walnut groves, creeks, and fields before it was taken by eminent domain. They played, and then they PLAYED. Rotten tomatoes lying waste in the neighborhood gardens? Louie and his kid sister Cecilia knew exactly what to do with them. Louie was a master crafter of willow branches, expertly making whips, bows, and arrows, to say nothing of his ability to sling rocks and dirt clods with remarkable accuracy. As his sisters and fellow traviesos can attest, having Louie on their side meant fewer bumps and bruises.
Louie met Roberta Smith when they were teenagers. He had adored her from afar throughout high school, and their lives came together with an engagement and beautiful wedding on May 25, 1968. His dreams were coming true and life with Roberta was good– Louie was blessed with her lifelong and faithful love.
Shortly after their wedding in 1968, Louie was drafted into the Vietnam War. His Army brothers have shared stories about Louie’s friendship, loyalty, and skills as a barber– his haircuts led to a job offer in an office away from combat– Louie immediately declined, remaining loyal to his Army brothers. Louie was rarely without his trusty Minolta camera, documenting his time in Vietnam; those images are now part of the National Archive. Louie was severely injured in combat in 1969 and was honorably discharged; Roberta and his family were grateful for his return.
Roberta and the Rios family supported Louie in his recovery and return to civilian life– the popularity of long hair meant Louie shifted careers from being a barber to working with the US Postal Service, where so many Vietnam veterans were hired. Roberta and Louie welcomed their two beautiful daughters with delight, one after the other: Lori and Lucia. In addition to regular rides in the Cadillac, Louie made sure the kids spent time in nature, always planning a camping trip, a hike, or stopping by the Goleta pier after picking the girls up from school for some late afternoon fishing… while Lori and Lucia scouted for candies with the money Louie gave them. Louie also introduced his nieces (Lia and Cielo) and nephews (Makoa and Steven) to the great outdoors; so many memories of their Nino Louie are connected with time spent at Cachuma Lake or fishing.
Louie and Roberta became parents-in-law to Eric Dallas, becoming grandparents to Cody (son of Lori), and Grant and Matthew (sons of Lucia). Remarkably, all three boys possess a mischievous twinkle in their eyes and a sweet grin that reminds us of Louie. Never wanting to be far from his grandbabies, Louie made sure they were always close to his heart— each one’s face handsomely tattooed on his arms.
Louie’s smile— huge, sweet, and mischievous— was perfectly matched by his expressive eye rolls and chuckles. He loved to drive— though being his passenger sometimes meant white-knuckling any surface available— taking unknown routes through mountains, deserts, and coastlines. Sometimes his passengers thought he’d take a wrong turn on purpose, just to see where it wound up; no matter the reason, trips with Louie were adventures.
He was also a prolific collector of the things the people he loved also loved: a perfect rock from More Mesa, the smoothest driftwood from Goleta Beach, an article he clipped from the paper, a book he knew you’d love, matchbooks from all over, sports memorabilia, or tickets to the movies.
Where did you meet Louie? Was it at Goleta Union, Cathedral Oaks, SB Jr. High, or High School? Maybe at the UCSB Barbershop with Shorty Moreno or with the Goleta Post Office crew at Monty’s? Maybe at Chumash Casino, at the old Earthling Bookstore, a local play, baseball game, camping at Lake Cachuma, the McDonald’s on Fairview, fishing, Palace-a-Go-Go, barber school, La Loma, catechism class, Domingos Café, beach walking— maybe the Ali Baba?
Louie spent his last days surrounded by his many, many friends and family; listening to his favorite music and sharing stories about him as a husband, dad, big brother, grandpa, nino, compadre, and friend. He wanted to celebrate his 81st birthday— and he did— leaving peacefully the very next day.
Please Join Us to Celebrate Louie
ROSARY | Tuesday, April 21 | 7:00 PM Welch-Royce-Haider Mortuary, Sola Street, Santa Barbara, CA
MASS & BURIAL | Wednesday, April 22 | 10:00 AM Our Lady of Sorrows, Sola Street, Santa Barbara, CA followed by Santa Barbara Cemetery, Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA
CELEBRATION OF LIFE | Wednesday, April 22 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Tucker’s Grove Kiwanis Field, Santa Barbara, CA
