The son of immigrant field workers who was born during the
depths of the Depression and who became a high school dropout
recently looked back at his life.
”
Just keep rolling along; if you fall off the log, get right back
on and keep on rolling,
”
Ruben Lopez said.
”
I learned that young and I’ve never forgotten it.
”
The son of immigrant field workers who was born during the depths of the Depression and who became a high school dropout recently looked back at his life.
“Just keep rolling along; if you fall off the log, get right back on and keep on rolling,” Ruben Lopez said. “I learned that young and I’ve never forgotten it.”
Lopez was born on Jan. 2, 1935 in Chino, the third child in a family that would eventually number five boys and a girl, to Connie and Cruz Lopez. They had left their home in Michoacan, Mexico in search of a better life in the United States. Cruz Lopez was a field worker who labored at whatever crop was available to put food on the table. He and Connie Lopez instilled in their children a sense of respect for others and themselves.
The family moved to San Benito County in 1940. Ruben attended Olympic, Vineyard and San Juan Elementary schools. He found he liked history, and that grew into a deeper involvement. He was a tour guide at Mission San Juan Bautista during the summers while in the seventh and eighth grades.
Lopez also learned he had quick reflexes and reservoirs of stamina in sports. When he entered San Benito High School in 1950, he went out for football, basketball and baseball, and as fullback on the 1951 Baler football team played a significant role in winning a football championship. He was also a starter on the varsity basketball squad.
Soon his attention was drawn to another contest in a larger arena. In March 1952, Lopez left school to join the U.S. Navy and take part in the Korean War. He was assigned to the ammunition ship, USS Vesuvius AE-15, which supplied shells to ships in Korean waters. Shortly before the truce was to go into effect on July 27, 1953, the Vesuvius provided the USS St. Paul with shells fired in the final salvo of the war with only minutes to spare.
Lopez was discharged on Jan. 1, 1956, the day before his 21st birthday. By then he had decided the course his life would take. “Teaching school is better than picking tomatoes,” he said recently, but despite the self-deprecatory laughter his ardor to help shape young minds burned brightly.
He studied at San Benito Junior College and Hartnell College before enrolling at the University of the Pacific where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and history in 1963. He injured his shoulder in 1960 while playing football for the team. During the following season, he re-injured it, ending his career as a player.
Lopez taught the sixth grade in the Benicia Elementary School District and was a coach at Benicia High School. His next professional assignment was in the Lincoln Elementary School District in Stockton before taking a position with Bellarmine Preparatory School in San Jose.
In the meantime he had married Kristi Virgin in June 1964. The marriage lasted until 1985. “We drifted apart at the end,” he said.
The couple had two children, now Eric Lopez of Hollister and Maren St. Ours of Vista.
“Eric worked in production in Hollywood and television shows for 13 years, and is in sales now,” his father said. “Maren and her husband, Joe, have three children. She works in a law office and is earning a teaching credential.”
Lopez returned to UOP in 1968 to work toward a master’s degree. He strengthened many ties he had made earlier and formed more. Among the friendships was with Walt Harris, who became the University of Pittsburgh’s football coach. Another close friend from UOP was Tony Albasio, who was killed while piloting a B-52 during the Vietnam War.
While working on his master’s, Lopez was assistant football coach. Among his charges was Bob Heinze, who was recruited by the Miami Dolphins and went to the Super Bowl as a member of the only team with an undefeated season in National Football League history.
But of many UOP bonds, one of the closest is with Tom Flores. After playing as a quarterback with the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, Flores joined the Raiders’ coaching staff and helped guide them to three Super Bowl victories, two as head coach. Earlier this month he participated in the annual San Juan Bautista Rotary Golf Tournament, which Lopez helps field. The day before, he led a cooking class at Dorothy McNett’s Place. With Lopez as his assistant, Flores showed an appreciative audience how to prepare popular Mexican dishes.
From 1972-76, Lopez was a consultant with the state Department of Education, and in 1978 became principal of Watsonville High School. He later was director of special projects for the Pajaro Valley School District. Lopez ended his education career with the San Francisco School District in 1994 after nine years.
In 1972, while working in the field for the state Department of Education, he ran for San Benito County Superintendent of Schools. He received the most votes in a five-person primary but lost in the general election.
Lopez has developed his writing skill, which earlier resulted in an article on Tiburcio Vasquez, published in the “Pacific Historian,” a quarterly international publication. He is preparing a film script of legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, and another on the California Missions.
Lopez serves his community on the San Juan Rotary and the San Juan Service Club as well as in the Hollister Elks Lodge. He is quartermaster of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6359 in San Juan. He recently made an unsuccessful bid for the Gavilan College board.
“I enjoy playing golf, reading and historical research,” he said.
And as “Taps” played during the re-dedication ceremony of the Veterans Building on Memorial Day, Lopez stood at somber attention, perhaps remembering other days, friends long gone, and the eager youth he was 50 years ago.
