Obituaries

Rodolfo Victoria 1922-2008Rodolfo Victoria, “Rudy” passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the home he shared with sister Yolanda in Lancaster, CA for the last three years. They were best “buds” as Rudy liked to say.Rudy was born and raised in Santa Paula. He was one of five children born to Manuel and Concepcion Victoria, born in Jacona, Michoacan. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents and brother Joe.He liked to say that “we are seven,” from the poem written by William Wordsworth. It is about a child who visits her brother’s grave and feels passionately that her family forever will number seven, despite the fact some are no longer alive on this earth.Rudy was an outstanding baseball pitcher during his Santa Paula High School career. His record of striking out 19 in a nine-inning game has never been broken. He is only one of two Santa Paula High School players to make All State Team. As a professional ball player he tried out with the Coast League San Francisco Seals, and ended up pitching for Bakersfield on the California league.Rudy and three brothers enlisted proudly in different military branches soon after Pearl Harbor. Being always thoughtful and loving, he sought his Mother’s advice. Her choice was the Coast Guard, because “you won’t get shot or have to kill anyone.” This advice turned out to be a blessing, as Rudy was always close to home and frequently on a foot patrol along San Diego’s coastline.Jess, of Santa Paula, was an Army Medic and was awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary bravery; Manuel Jr., now living in Fillmore, served in Italy. Joe enlisted in what is now the Air Force, but spent three years as a POW in Japanese prison camps in the Philippines.The GI Bill and an outstanding pitching arm gave Rudy the opportunity to attend Pepperdine University on a baseball scholarship. He majored in Journalism for three years, but later transferred to Hastings College of Law, a prestigious Berkeley affiliate, earning a law degree in 1952, on his first attempt. Because of his very high organizational skills and a desire to succeed, he wanted to share and inspire others to do the same. Good note taking, penmanship and applying logic and order to exam questions rewarded him with professional praise.After law school, Rudy was invited to join Newman and Newman, a family of three made up of father Bruno Newman, and sons Phillip and Anthony. During the next 18 years Rudy worked closely with the INS, located next door to the Newman law firm. In 1970, Rudy was recommended by his lifelong friend, attorney Oscar Munguia (whose roots also sprang from the citrus ranches of Limoneira). An opening came at the Child Support Division in Los Angeles County. Rudy was a stellar employee specializing in research. When he retired in 1983, the county opened a research library in his name to recognize his generosity in gathering information for the department heads and colleagues so that their trial presentations were flawlessly correct as to the laws impacting the case.Rudy’s grace and generosity will be remembered. He loved all things of beauty and substance. He leaves us all better for having him in our lives.A memorial mass will be held in his honor on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at St. Sebastian Church, located at 9th and Santa Paula Street in Santa Paula.Charles Eugene Lutts