Escobar committed to family church, and community

Hall of Fame Vaqueros were honored at the game in San Diego on Friday, February 9. Pictured, from left, are Lupe Ibarra, Walter Reyna, Roel Perez, Carlos Treviño, Ruben Escobar, Manuel Esparza, and Tommy Molina. Luis Barrera, Raul de Leon, and Homero Rosas were not able to attend. (Photos by Angelica E. Maldonado.)

Rubén Escobar played where the coaches needed him with the 1964 San Diego Vaqueros basketball state finalists. “Bench players–called BWA-Bench Warmers Association–practiced defense,” Escobar said. “Coach Mo (Modesto García) would use us as needed. I would go in for Tommy (Molina) or Meme (Esparza). I even played one game as a point guard; my instructions were to feed the ball to Tommy, who scored a bunch of points that game.”

The BWA played that position because Walter Reyna and Carlos Treviño participated in a cross-country race the next day, and Coach Mo did not want them tired. 

“We were used mainly if one had foul trouble,” Escobar said. “But we took the games seriously and practiced hard. It was tough; Coach Mo and Coach Cubriel would drill everyone as one team. We were always ready to play.” 

Practicing hard was not Coach García’s only expectation from his players; he checked their report cards: no pass, no play.

Escobar was born in San Diego in 1946 to Roman and Hermelinda Escobar and had two siblings: his older sister, Alma Luz, and a younger brother, Roberto. He graduated from St. Francis de Paula Catholic School in 1958 and San Diego High School in 1964. 

At the time of his graduation, the nation was in the Vietnam Conflict. Escobar went from a basketball

Ruben Escobar.

uniform to wear the colors of the United States Air Force. He served four years in military tours at Travis Air Base in California, Kunsan, Korea, Truax Field in Wisconsin, and Walla Walla Air Base in Washington. He received an honorable discharge in June 1968 and earned the Military-Korean Service, National Defense, and Good Conduct medals.

“The military taught me to be self-dependent,” Escobar notes, having left home at 17 years of age to join USAF. “I was lucky to travel and see the world. Discipline, time management, and a positive attitude helped shape the rest of my career and life.”

After his military service, Escobar enrolled in Corpus Christi’s Del Mar College. In 1958, he met “the love of my life, Norma Jean” Gomez from Alice. They were married in 1971 and had four children: Ricardo (RIP), Monica Lee, Ruben Edward, and Angelica Lamar. They also are blessed with four grandchildren. 

In 1969, Escobar began a 34-year successful career with the U. S. Postal Service. He entered the post office as a postal clerk and, ten years later, was named Postmaster of Freer, becoming the town’s first Hispanic Postmaster. In 1982, he was appointed Postmaster of San Diego, where he served until his retirement in 2003.

After enjoying seven years in retirement, Escobar returned to public service as the Duval County Veterans Service Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator from 2010 to 2018. In 2018, he assumed the management responsibilities of a wildlife ranch, where he served until 2022.

“It was a great time back then; we had no idea what was out there in the rest of the world; we were poor but happy,” Escobar said. “We played sandlot games with homemade goals and had barrio teams.” 

The family was at the center of their lives, Escobar reminisced. “Our parents provided a roof over our heads and food on the table. My parents taught us to do what’s right, work hard, and be our best. I went to Catholic school through the sixth grade. I always had a closeness to church.”

Escobar remains active in his community, being a member of St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church, a life and 4th-degree Assembly member of the Knights of Columbus, a life member of the San Diego VFW, a past member of the Little League Association, and a charter member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Through the years, he has earned various awards, including Young Area Businessman of the Year, Outstanding Postmaster, Outstanding Postmaster Trainee, and Outstanding Knights of Columbus, where he also earned a state Programs Award and served as a state officer.

Escobar enjoys golf, hunting, cooking outdoors, softball, and, most of all, spending time with family and friends in his spare time. His outlook and advice on life is to get involved and “hard work, determination, think positive, set short term and long-term goals, always do what’s right, help the needy, and be visible.”

Escobar with his grandson
Jon ZacharySmitheick.