H. Robert Romero Obituary

H. Robert Romero attended Pioneer High School in San Jose, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about H. Robert Romero.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Passing	Apr 04, 1995
About	H. ROBERT ROMERO, ARTIST, DESIGNER: H. Robert Romero left his artistic mark on San Jose -- at the Santa Clara County Fair, at Happy Hollow children's park, at San Jose Civic Light Opera, at Christmas in the Park. Every holiday season at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in the middle of Market Street downtown, Mr. Romero offered his graphic magic. "Of the many areas he designed, we are particularly proud of the Children's Fantasyland, which he designed, built and installed every year," said Joe Cardinalli, San Jose's parks manager. "It brings smiles and laughter every year to thousands of children." Robert Romero devoted his life to youngsters, said his friends and colleagues after his unexpected death of complications related to pancreatitis at age 46 in a San Jose hospital. On April 4, the day he died, the San Jose City Council dedicated its meeting in his memory -- not only for his volunteer service to the city but also for his full-time work for it. As a student and as an adult, he put in 26 years, starting with the parks and recreation department on such programs as children's theater, senior and neighborhood centers, parks and school playgrounds. At the time of his death he was safety officer for the reorganized Department of Neighborhood Services. Robert Romero was born in Salinas but started growing up in Fremont. After a time in Newark, he came to San Jose, graduating from Pioneer High School and entering San Jose State University. After obtaining his bachelor's degree and while working on his master of fine arts degree, he created what was to become "Romeroland" in a corner of the industrial arts building on campus. With mounds of clay, he transformed the little studio into a world of Winnie the Pooh, of Alice in Wonderland, of Disney. He conceived his ceramic sculpture as fantasy, and it found its way into corporate collections and exhibits in such places as the De Young Museum in San Francisco and the Richmond Art Center as well as his own San Jose State. For a time after obtaining his second degree in the early 1970s, Mr. Romero considered taking an associate professorship in his ancestral homeland in the Philippines. Instead, he joined the Peace Corps, serving as an art instructor at a university in the Dominican Republic. In 1972, he coached the Dominican track and field teams in Caribbean and Pan American games competition. During his career, he also coached, officiated and judged track and field, boxing and basketball. San Jose Civic Light Opera gave Mr. Romero its Ginny Award, and for many years he participated as a makeup artist and designer in community and student theatrical productions. More than once he described his approach to art, "If it isn't fun, it isn't mine." That was the way he viewed the Santa Clara County Fair, where he worked with Jim Hummel, a longtime Mercury News artist. ''He was a very talented man, and one of the most multifaceted persons in the art field," Hummel said. "He did everything. He always wanted to help people through his artwork." Born: May 4, 1948, Salinas, Calif. Died: April 4, 1995, San Jose, Calif. Survived by: Mother, Reppie Bautista of San Jose; father and stepmother, George and Juana Romero of Newark; brothers and sisters-in-law, Greg Romero of Newark, George and Kim Romero of Santa Rosa, Ed and Necy Bautista, Ronald and Malou Bautista, Donald and Lucy Bautista, all of San Jose; four nieces and nephews. Services: Have been held. Memorial: Donations may be made to the H. Robert Romero Memorial, Christmas in the Park, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose, Calif. 95112. PHOTO: H. Robert Romero Edition: Morning Final Page: 5B San Jose Mercury News (CA) - April 12, 1995