Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Former Congressman serving the Central and South Coasts of California, Robert “Bob” Lagomarsino, passed away last week at 94 years of age.
Lagomarsino was born in Ventura County in 1926, graduated from Ventura High School, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara University School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
His political career started as a member of the Ojai City Council followed by being elected the mayor of Ojai. He then represented the area in the California State Senate from 1961 until 1974 where he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving until 1992.
Robert J. Lagomarsino (Photo: US House of Representatives)
Lagomarsino championed environmental concerns, particularly by authoring legislation that created the Channel Islands National Park, the Dick Smith Wilderness Area, and the Los Padres National Forest.
He also maintained a voting record of 99% and took pride in voting against all proposed congressional pay raises.
“I am saddened to hear of former Congressman Bob Lagomarsino’s passing. Congressman Lagomarinso left a lasting impact on the Central Coast by championing the creation of the Channel Islands National Park and for his top notch constituent service, but these are just two notable achievements in a long legacy of public service,” said Rep. Salud Carbajal. “His civil, bipartisan approach to politics is sorely missed in today’s Congress and I strive to bring that same spirit to my own service. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, may his memory live on in the contributions he made to our Central Coast community and to our country.”
Following his political career, Lagomarsino advocated for a four-year public university in Ventura County that eventually became Cal State Channel Islands.
He passed away at his home in the Ojai Valley on Sunday, February 7. He was 94. He was preceded in death by his wife Norma.
RIP.
Hi, I remember him as a well-respected very moderate Republican that most Democrats supported. Wasn’t he defeated in a primary by Huffington,who had his shill, opportunist wife and all his oil money? Someone out there knows more than I do.
That’s exactly right, Huffington, who was pretty much an empty suit in my opinion, defeated Lagomarsino in a primary before the 1992 election. I believe Arianna was the brains of it all, but it was the money that did the trick. Lagomarsino was a fine congressman who worked in a civil, bi-partisan way, and his loss was unfortunate for the district and CA.
His was an example we could all follow. Very respectable gentleman. I remember him well too.
A good man.
He hosted the first SBCC field trip to D.C. in 1980 or ’81; his office was always open to the students while we were there. I have some great photos from that trip. I didn’t vote for him, but could respect him. Indeed, back then people were not as crazy as they are now. RIP