Saying goodbye to my uncle Danny Robledo, a youth coach and mentor in Pasadena and Altadena for more than 45 years.
As you can imagine, it has been a tough week for our family, losing Danny Robledo, my uncle and youth baseball and football coach in Pasadena and Altadena for more than 45-years. He was 70 when he passed on Monday, but he never got old. He started coaching the Muir golf team last year with my dad. They found something they loved to do in retirement, giving back to kids and coaching a sport they loved. You would find them most mornings at Altadena Golf Course with friends talking and solving the worlds problems, as they liked to joke. It has always amazed me how many people Danny touched and knew. People came up all the time asking if I was related to Danny Robledo, and they always had a special story to share. When I looked at this blog Tuesday night, it was heart-warming to read some of the comments on other threads, which I moved here to share with those that knew him. Thank you for all the kinds words and memories. My family and I appreciate it.
The following is information regarding services:
Viewing and a Rosary will be on Friday, March 16 from 5 - 8 p.m. At Cabot & Sons in Pasadena, (corner of Chestnut and Fair Oaks). A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 17 at St. Elizabeth Church, 1849 N. Lake at 9:30 a.m. The funeral will be at the Mountain View Cemetery at 2400 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Disabled Veterans
For story on Danny Robledo in today's Star-News, click thread.
By Andrew Campa
PASADENA - Perhaps Muir High School football coach Ken Howard best summed up what the 45-year coaching career of Danny Robledo meant to the city of Pasadena.
"He was a great motivator," Howard said Tuesday. "I trusted him with my kids because he was honest. He was like a father figure to so many Pasadena kids that needed one."
Robledo, a legendary youth sports coach in Pasadena and Altadena, died Monday after an apparent heart attack while coaching at Brookside Golf Course. He was 70.
"I never thought I'd live to hear the day Danny died," Howard said. "He had a passion for teaching and loved life. I thought he was going to outlive us all."
Robledo, uncle of Star-News prep sports editor Fred J. Robledo, was in his second year as a volunteer golf coach at Muir, where he assisted his brother, Fred Robledo Sr.
Robledo, born and raised in Pasadena, attended Muir in 1954 before joining the Army in 1955. After two years in the service, he returned to Pasadena and went to work for L.A. County road department.
He started coaching Little League teams in West Altadena in 1962 and his love affair with youth sports never ended. After baseball came football, and Robledo threw himself into that sport with the same energy.
Danny Robledo tutored many West San Gabriel Valley sports standouts during his 35-year tenure as a head coach in the Pasadena Junior All-American football program.
The list of athletes who once played for Robledo includes Chris McAlister (Baltimore Ravens), Chad Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers), Alan Wiggins (San Diego Padres), LaShaun Ward (Kansas City Chiefs) and Saladin and Sultan McCullough (Oregon and USC, respectively).
A year ago, he was offered an opportunity to coach golf as a volunteer at Muir.
Robledo lived in Altadena with his wife, Darlene, for the past 40 years. Besides Darlene, he is survived by sons Danny Jr., Darin, David and Darby; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his father, Julio; brothers Fred, Mike and Carlos; and sisters Carmen and Julie.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
he was a good man ! he coached me for a couple of years with the pasadena panthers.....
... Firsct of all i would really like to thank everyone induvidually for even taking the time out to give words of love. i am one of the many "BLAcxicanS" that has had the privilage to havE this Wonderful Man not only as my granfather but to Actually be a ROBLEDO. to all of u i thank you and to all my family on here... hey there!!lol... and stay strong.. Miss u "grandpa"... love tasha and Great-Granddaughters Dilynn and Daija (yes the 2 great grands are D's too...lol!)
Hello my friends :)
;)
When my Mother told me about Danny's death, I knew it could only be from one thing; a heart attack. That was Danny; all heart. He was a family friend , coach and mentor. When I played for the Pirates in the 7up league back in "66", Danny was coaching the Hornets. My brother Bob-O played for his brothers Fred and Mike. They all touched our hearts in ways they may never realize. Fred the sportswriter and golf ticket benefactor, Mike the "STANG QB", Carlos my homie and JPL co-worker, and Danny's son's, the "D"'s . We barely had enough food on the table for us six kids, let alone a newspaper, but the sound of Danny's "VW", meant we had the L.A. Times on a daily basis, sometimes the only constant in our lives outside of our Mother's love. One Saturday at Loma Alta Park, someone "took" my mitt. I had a game Monday at Muir, was a lefty, so I couldn't just borrow anyone's glove. Danny said someone probably took it by mistake. Well the next day I heard the "VW". Danny said he put the mitt in his ball bag by mistake, tossed it to me and drove off. It wasn't my mitt as you can probably believe. Mine was held together by old shoestrings for the pocket and fingers. The next time I saw Danny I thanked him. He said he didn't know what I was talking about and kept hitting "grounders" to his team. The last time I saw Danny was at the golf course. I heard him before I saw him, he was just "being" Danny. Danny received a gift from above.He was the shepherd who protected the sheep from the wolves. Jack Allen, Sef Guzman, Franco Estrada, Danny Huerta, Wayne Pulley, thank you as well for your guidance, love and happiness. Preston Banks, if you were alive today, you would have "protested" Danny's death, but you're all in heaven, being the team leaders you always were. Danny Boy, Darren, David, Darby and Darlene, thank you for sharing Danny with the world. Our special love and relationship shall never cease.
Much Love,
Danny "D", Bob-O "Captain", Al-B "Albie Charles",Matt "Mattaroonie", Ricky "Ricky Tick Tick, Helen "Nena", Dana "Little Nena"
First off I would like to say thank you for all the condolences that my mom & brothers have received since the passing of my dad. I am the youngest of the group. By the time I came along, my dad had already made a name in Altadena. Unfortuanetly, I was not into sports. Most people would think that would be a problem for my dad, but it wasn't. I am grateful for the 36 years I had with my dad. I did not know him as Coach Robledo because he didn't have to coach me. I ONLY know him as DAD. The same dad that stood there by my side with every decision I made, whether good or bad. The same dad that gave me praise on a good grade & the same dad that disciplined me when he had to, which was alot. I had a lot of friends & school mates that played for dad when I was a kid. They always had nicknames. My nickname was any one of my brothers names. We all start with "D" so it was easy enough to call me by my brothers name. I miss my dad & I wish he were still here. I love you dad. Rest in peace papa.
Fred, please accept my condolences to you and your family. Danny Sr. is a good man that brought joy, energy, laughter and a overall sense of well being while one was in his presence. There will never be another Danny Robledo Sr., he will be greatly missed.
Hello Fred:
I got the word on Danny yesterday. My heart goes out to you and your family. May God keep you during these times. I loved the Robledo's as a kid and everything that family stood for...keep the faith.
Derrell E. Pratt
I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you upon the death of your uncle, Danny Robledo.
Although I never had the honor and the pleasure to know him, I was very sorry to hear about his passing away. He was a distinguished member of our community and you can be justly proud of his contributions. I know that he will be greatly missed by all.
I extend my condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you upon the death of your uncle, Danny Robledo.
Although I never had the honor and the pleasure to know him, I was very sorry to hear about his passing away. He was a distinguished member of our community and you can be justly proud of his contributions. I know that he will be greatly missed by all.
I extend my condolences to you and our family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rudy, Debbie and Annie Martinez
South Pasadena, CA
Fred,
I am sorry for you and your family's big loss. From what I have read, it sounds as if the city of Pasadena has a big loss as well. Your uncle was a great man.
Dear Fred and the Robledo Family......
My deepest sympathies to you all. It's so heartwarming to read the well wishes and the testimonies that have been shared in the paper. I hope and pray that the legacy your Uncle left behind will encourage and inspire all of us to be better parents, better community leaders and better mentors to our young boys and girls. If more people like Danny stepped up to the plate, we'd certainly see more positives within our younger generations.
May the Good Lord Bless you -- Robledo Family.
I too would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for my family.
Uncle Danny was my oldest uncle. While most will remember him for coaching football and baseball thoughout the years, my memories mostly came from family gatherings and the golf course.
In fact, you always knew Uncle Danny was around when his infectious laugh could be heard from clear across any room he'd be in. And he loved to laugh.
I played a lot of golf with my Uncle Danny the past few years. He had the uncanny ability to strike a golf ball while having a conversation with whoever was in his foursome. He never cared if you talked while while he was swinging... in fact, he welcomed it. That was my Uncle Danny on the golf course.
Once again, I just wanted to share some of my memories of my Uncle Danny and thank everyone for their warm and heart felt posts. Thank you.
Mikey Robledo
I would like to take this opertunity to pray for my family Father thank you for giveing us Danny for 70 great years. Thank you for instilling in Danny that great desire to coach and teach our youth not only how to be a better baseball player or football player but more important how to be a man. Father I ask that you keep a hedge of protection around my family and confort all of us during this difficult time that we could remember all the great times we had with Uncle Danny. Amen
Fred: If your Uncle Danny had any influence on you and your spirit for our youth he should be very proud because I don't think I've ever met anybody who works as hard as you do to bring joy to all of the Valley kids.
I've always thought of you to be fair and unique in the way you bring out the best in people. Your Uncle's fingerprints are alive and well through you and that is the best message I can think of. Be strong my friend and I will keep you in my prayers and well as your Uncle.
Jim M.
Freddy,
Sorry to hear about your loss. I did not know him but it sounds like he will be missed by many.
As a Pasadenan from little league baseball and football @ PHS, It feels good to see all of the comments about Coach Danny Robledo. Pasadena did not just lose a great coach, but a great person over all. Reading all of the blog posts, has painted a picture for me as to what Mr. Robledo meant to so many people. Sometimes the little things that great people do at the time may not seem so big, but it is the impact it carries through out a life time is what matters the most. There are times when we are exposed to greatness and not know it and the time that someone who makes a positive impact in our lives has just walked in front of us. The positve statements are always remembered.
God Bless the Robledo family.
I would also like to share my feelings about Danny, my oldest brother and lifetime idol. Before I do, I would first like to express my gratitude for the many, many people who have called me, emailed me or posted on this blog to convey their feelings about Danny. The ourpouring of love from the community has been felt by our entire family. He was truly a special person with a gift I don't think he realized he had. Coach Kenny Howard said it best when he said Danny was a father figure to so many kids that didn't have fathers. To that I would add he was not only a father figure, he was also a mentor, a friend, a sounding board and a teacher. He had no favorites. Everyone was an equal. Anybody who was ever coached by Danny knew they had arrived when he bestowed a nickname on them. That meant they had been accepted. I was wondering how he was going to do that with our golf team last year. "They earn their nicknames," he said. Sure enough, by the end of the year our players were named The Entertainer, Big Dog, Kool-aid, Old School, Frenchy, Jockey, Pueblo and Gentle Ben. I knew Danny had been a football and baseball coach for more than 40 years, but I didn't realize what a great golf instructor he was, too. Once he found out he was going to be coaching golf, he got all the books on golf instruction he could find, took some ideas from them, added some of his own -- actually, a lot of his own, and made our players better golfers. Even more important, he taught them to be better citizens. He taught them lessons of life that will extend far beyond their days at Muir High School. We are all going to miss Danny, but I can promise you one thing -- nobody is ever going to forget him. We will be telling stories about him at Altadena Golf Course for as long as we're on this earth.
Fred Robledo Sr.
I didn't know Mr. Robledo - but it sure sound like us could use a lot more people like him these days.
My condolences to the Robledo family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Fred.
My condolences to you Fred and your family..
I would like to camp on to my nephews comments as to how heartwarming it is to hear of all the people Danny touched. As his younger brother, I enjoyed feeding off of his competitiveness; enjoyed listening to him tell his stories of all of the athletes that he had known. His love for both the youth and the sports they played kept him younger than his age showed. He never asked for anything in return for the time he gave and the seeds he sowed have blossomed from generation to generation. As his brother, I feel like many of you that knew him as a coach, an acquaintance or a friend...I was lucky enough to be his brother and will do all I can to preserve what Danny started long ago...thanks again for your prayers and thoughts...the Robledo Family is in debt to you all.
Mike Robledo
I just wanted to express my deepest condolences to Fred and the rest of the Robledo family who lost one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Coach Danny Robledo was the greatest coach many Pasadenans ever had in either pop warner football and/or little league baseball. I haven't posted on this site in a while, but it is the least I can do to pay my gratitude to one of my idols and mentors. To all of the Robledos I just want to say that Danny was a pillar in Pasadena and just the best guy EVER! Rest in Peace coach, you are a legend in 'Dena, and a great 'Stang.
Fred,
Sorry for your loss. Growing up in Pasadena, I had the honor to run into Coach Danny Robledo several times during little league baseball & youth football seasons.
I will pray for your family.
GOD Bless.
DAWG
FRED I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT PASADENA LOST ONE OF ITS ICONS YESTERDAY DANNY WAS NOT JUST A GREAT COACH BUT HE WAS A GREAT MAN HE HAS TOUCHED SO MANY OF OUR LIVES I THINK WHAT I DO TODAY IS BECAUSE WHAT HE SAID TO ME AT A CLINIC ONE YEAR COACH DANNY THE GENERAL AS WE ALL KNOW HIM SAID IF YOU COACH FOR ANY OTHER REASON THAN THE LOVE OF THE KIDS THAN YOU ARE DOING THE WORNG THING. RIP COACH WE ALL LOVE YOU MICHAEL KNOWLES!!