Ron Robertson Sr.
Ron Robertson Sr., passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 19th surrounded by his loving wife, Nanci, his children and grandchildren. After battling Parkinson’s Disease for over 26 years, he was blessed to be set free.
Even as Parkinson’s began to take his physical abilities, he would continue to live his life to the absolute fullest.
He cultivated the values of integrity and principles and truly epitomized the American dream.
Ron was born on December 22, 1938 in Santa Barbara at St. Francis Hospital. As a young boy, he would visit with his father, Robert and stepmother, Rose and play with other seven-year old children, including his future wife, Nanci Browning, on Olive Mill Road in Montecito. They met again at Santa Barbara High School and quickly fell in love, attended UCSB together and married.
In 1960, Ron and Nanci moved to San Francisco to attend University of the Pacific Dental School, graduating with honors in 1964. While managing a heavy course load, he worked as a bouncer and a bartender at the Red Garter Saloon, as well as various other jobs and supported his young family. They were able to return to Santa Barbara to open his dental practice on Islay Street, where he practiced dentistry for 22 years. Both of his sons entered the dental profession and like their father, graduated from UOP. Ron Jr became a general dentist, taking over his father’s practice, and Ron’s youngest son, Sean, specialized in endodontics.
During Ron’s dental career, he invested in real estate—starting with duplexes in Montecito, and then apartment buildings, and finally purchasing the Balboa Building in 1978.
Ron was an avid sportsman, with a true love of the great outdoors. He cherished his fishing and hunting trips to Montana, Alaska, and Mexico. Additionally, he played senior men’s volleyball, tennis, golf, bicycling, horseback riding and triathlons with his sons. He especially enjoyed traveling the western United States with his family, and bought a cabin on the Blackfoot River in Montana. For many years, he took his family sailing or power boating to the local Channel Islands where they went fishing, kayaking and exploring underwater. In 1987, Ron’s passion for adventure led him and Nanci to sail to Cabo San Lucas and around Baja, Mexico for three months.
Ron was a member of the Valley Club of Montecito and of the Rancheros Visitadores (Vaquero Camp). He also served as President of Knowlwood Tennis Club, president of Montecito Trails Foundation and was a member of the Santa Barbara Trail Riders.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Nanci; daughter Rosalind; son, Ron Jr. and daughter-in-law Barbara; son, Sean and daughter-in-law, Sunnie; half-sister, Sharon Kussman; sister-n-law, Natalie Clark Harpham; and brother-in-law Richard Harpham. Ron was the proud grandfather of Grant, Brooke, and Evan Robertson; Vail and Jackson Cook; and Emily and Taylor Robertson. The Robertson family would like to thank Pavel Herrera for his nine years of dedication to his friend and companion, Ron. The family would also like to acknowledge Genaro Leon, who assisted Ron last year.
If desired, the family requests that donations in Ron’s memory be made to The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, 2253 Las Positas Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
A Celebration of life is being, scheduled for Saturday, October 1st. Please e-mail robertsonmemorial2016@gmail.com for specific details