Boys Club Kid Does Good

The Life of Robert Del Campo

By

Mark Moses Alvarado

Robert Del Campo was born in Santa Barbara in 1936. Zeke, as Robert came to be known by his close friends, grew up at a time when the local fabric and the true diversity of Santa Barbara’s culture was being established. It was during this period that shaped Robert’s caring personality, sense of humor, work ethic, competitive nature and love for his family.

Robert’s parents divorced when he was a small boy. One can only imagine the impact it had on him. He counted on his Grandma Eugenia during his early years.He was also blessed to be welcomed as a son and a brother with his relatives, the Ambriz Family. They all lived across the street from Robert on the Eastside on Lawrence Ave. At this time Robert was known as Bombo. A nickname that stayed with him his entire life due to the deep love he shared with his cousins. It was his uncle Jesus Ambriz that Robert followed around as a youngster, picking up tips on how to be a good man. He also developed a deep brotherhood with his cousin Richie Ambriz. The two became inseparable growing up together with Robert’s best friend Benji Cheverez. Sadly, Richie passed away in his early 20’s. Losing Richie crushed Robert.

It’s easy to imagine Robert, later in life as an adult, leaning over the bed of his gray Ford pick up truck with a can of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other remembering those days on Lawrence Avenue. If asked about the Ambriz family, you could see him looking out at the Channel Islands from the driveway of his Alameda Padre Serra home saying,

“Damn, they raised me”

Robert and Benji Cheverez running track at the LA Coliseum for the SB Boys Club 1948

 

Robert attended Franklin School, Santa Barbara Junior High and graduated in 1955 from Santa Barbara High School. He’s remembered as being handsome, a sharp dresser, very competitive and a standout basketball and baseball player. His favorite music group was the Four Freshman. As a youngster, friends still remember how he hated losing at marbles in the 5th grade. His innate competitive spirit was cultivated at the old Boys Club on Canon Perdido Street. There he took advantage of all the sports and activities that he would later say saved his life. There’s a classic photo of a young Robert running track for the Boys Club at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It’s almost surreal to see a boy from Santa Barbara’s Eastside shrouded by the thousands of stadium seats behind him as he’s crossing the finish line. It’s definitely at this moment in Robert’s young life that his status as an outstanding athlete was born.

Robert was also the only guy among his friends who owned a car. By the ninth grade, his dad bought him a 1934 Ford with a rumble seat. He had a paper route and could be seen delivering papers while driving through the neighborhood. Most of his friends all learned how to drive in Robert’s car and it was also used frequently with his buddies to ditch school to go fishing.

After high school, Robert went on to star in basketball at Santa Barbara City College and was also a highly competitive athlete while enlisted in the army. He later stood out playing in adult basketball and softball leagues well into his 40’s. In fact, his natural athletic ability earned him the nickname “Zeke” after LA Laker great Jerry West. But it was at a Santa Barbara High School athletic hall of fame induction dinner. Where former Dons like Eddie Mathews, Sam Cunningham and Karch Kiraly were being honored. Robert’s former baseball teammate, Bill Oakley Sr, was being inducted and recognized Robert during his acceptance speech.

“Gee, I don’t know what to say. There are so many other guys I played with that deserve this honor. Guys like Bob Del Campo.”

Robert “Zeke” Del Campo

SBHS Senior Picture 1955

 

Robert wasn’t there to hear his name called out at the sold out Cabrillo Arts Center. But the acknowledgement was firmly heard among the luminaries in attendance. When told about the recognition, Robert became quiet and said,

“Yea, there were a lot of guys, too many to recognize.”

But just talk to those who saw Robert compete in his prime and they will tell you he deserved an official recognition as one of the best to play for Santa Barbara High School.

Robert was a star shooting guard for the Santa Barbara Dons in the 1950’s

Robert married Carol Morriarty in 1971. She was from Massachusetts and was not overly smitten by Robert when they first met. It took a mutual friend to convince Carol to even go on a date with him. It was well known that after Robert got out of the army, he wasted no time living a full life as a single man. He built a solid reputation as a man with an independent soul. It was obvious to Robert’s close friends that after he met Carol, he had fallen in love with her. Before meeting Carol, Robert joined the trades union becoming a professional lather. Much of Santa Barbara’s El Pueblo Viejo architectural stucco standards between the 1960’s thru the 1980”s were finished by a crew Robert belonged to or when he owned his own lath and plaster business.

Since childhood, Robert established life-long friendships. Carol did not only marry Robert but she also married into a circle of friends that Robert kept close for a variety of activities. It was with such friends as Benji Cheverez, Johnny Escalera, Jasso Diaz, Ken Petitt, Spike Gunderson, Hank Rivera, John Alvarado, Wally Elizadi, Chino Elizaldi, Art Lucero, Charlie Graham, Bruce Robles, Paul Ruiz, Rudy Escalera and Jimmy McMullen that produced the annual Cachuma Trout Derby in 1972. Robert and his friends, along with their wives, girlfriends and children, were instrumental in developing the original trout derby. The annual derby went on to be a local signature event that Robert and his friends were always proud of. “The Guys”, as they were always referred to, became a solid group of people in Robert’s life. There were fishing trips, lively bus rides to see the LA Rams, Fiesta parades, city league softball, barbecues and numerous community celebrations that bonded Robert with his friends. Their life-long friendship was sustained during football season. The Guys would meet at Robert’s house every week to watch Monday Night Football. Which turned into a 30 year tradition rotating to different houses to enjoy the game, talk politics and drink beer.

Robert toasting at a Fiesta parade in the early 1970’s

with Ken Pettit top left, Hank Rivera with the hat, Cory Shaw and John Alvarado

 

In the 1980’s thru 2015, Robert and the Guys focused their attention on helping the Downtown Boys Club improve its gymnasium and other areas of the building that needed repairs. Their attention and dedication to the Boys Club came in the form of raising funds at their annual Fiesta booth and 50/50 raffle events. The guys organized as the Downtown Boys Club Alumni and showed their appreciation by providing a Thanksgiving dinner to club members and their families for many years. As an alumni group, Robert and his friends raised thousands of dollars to help the Boys Club. Their philanthropy never received any recognition beyond the walls of the Boys Club building. Their efforts were truly an example of giving back to an organization that gave them the opportunity to be successful.

In the end,it can be said that Robert was a caring, funny and generous man. He never pushed back on people, when he probably should have. His friends will tell you that he was a great friend and the classic memories they share are unforgettable. As a father, Robert’s life was filled with the love of his children Mathew, Antonia and Robin. He always stayed in touch with his siblings Ruth, Isabel, Dick and Steve, who preceded Robert in death. But through it all it was his 52 years of marriage to Carol that gave Robert the love and support he needed after being diagnosed with Alzhiemers disease. The final years for Robert and Carol were not easy because of his decline, but through her faith, Carol showed a remarkable level of love and strength for Robert.

Robert Del Campo truly lived a memorable life from his days on Lawrence Avenue, competing as a star athlete, his comradery with a great circle of friends and being a father and loving husband. Robert reached the finish line by living a beautiful life in Santa Barbara. He equally pulled himself up on his own, earning everything he touched. His sense of humor and honest personality will always be etched in the minds of those who loved him and knew him the best.

Take care, Zeke.

A memorial mass for Robert Del Campo will be held on March 15th at OurLady of Mt. Carmel Church, 11:00AM.