Robert “Santa Max” Ernest Maxim

Robert Ernest Maxim joined his precious Lord on 11/24/12 after a three year battle with cancer, at home with his loving wife Pat at his bedside.

Robert was born in Texas June 23, 1941 but moved to Los Angeles as a baby and was a “true” Californian from then on. He graduated from UCLA, served in the US Navy and had his sales career at Xerox and in Real Estate in Santa Barbara, San Francisco and London. He retired to Santa Barbara in 1998 where he became very active in his community.

His first passion was Santa Barbara and its historic preservation. He was past president and an active member of the Pearl Chase Society. He was a member and a docent of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. His second passion was gardening. He was past president of the Men’s Garden club and an active member of the Santa Barbara Horticultural and Cactus & Succulent Societies. He planted and maintained one heck of a garden.

Robert was a genuinely happy person who took hold of life and enjoyed every aspect it offered with curiosity, enthusiasm and love. He and his wife were a perfect match as they were both born with wanderlust and have enjoyed traveling the world together for the past 40 years.

Robert is survived by his brother David Maxim and David’s partner Walter Gorman of San Francisco.

Robert has asked that one and all please give a wave to the Santa statue on Highway 101 in Oxnard. Santa was a fixture in Carpinteria for many years but needed a new home a few years back. Robert worked tirelessly to find Santa that new home. “Please remember the loving spirit of Santa as you drive by and give your wave.”

A memorial service will be held at his parish church, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street, on December 6 at 11:00AM. When thinking of Robert try to avoid wearing black…think bright colors.

I lieu of flowers you may donate to Trinity Church, Casa Esperanza, or a historical preservation society of your choice.