Dr. Rodolfo Gaitan Serrano, Ph.D.

Dr. Rodolfo Serrano, was born June 28, 1932 in Mendota, CA to his loving parents Luisa Lopez Gaitan and Tirso Moreno Serrano and passed away at home on February 7, 2017 surrounded by his wife and family.

Rodolfo grew up in South Colton where he graduated from Colton High School in 1950. He attended San Bernardino Valley College before transferring to San Jose State University and graduating in 1954 with a Bachelors degree and a Teaching Credential. He began his career teaching Biology, Physical Science and Physics at Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, CA.

Rodolfo received his draft notice in July 1955 and served with the 10th Mountain Division as an Infantry Medic stationed in Bamberg, Germany. During this time, he also taught science and math classes for the University of Maryland until his honorable discharge in 1958. Returning to Modesto, he resumed his teaching of Physics and Physical Science at Grace Davis High School. While teaching he earned his MA from the University of the Pacific and continued his studies as Shell Merit Fellow and National Science Foundation Scholar at Stanford University. Ultimately, his love for education led him to leave Davis High School to pursue his studies at the University of Arizona where he was awarded a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology and Education.

At the university level, his assignments included teaching at the University of Arizona, University of New Mexico, San Jose State University (Associate Dean and Professor, School of Education) and was a founding faculty member of California State University, Bakersfield where he earned the title of Emeritus Professor.

Dr. Serrano published extensively in American Anthropology and Education Quarterly, The High School Journal, The Journal of Psychology and ERIC. He authored “The Pachuco Dictionary” as well producing several films including a study of children at play, “El Gato y El Ratón” (found in the Smithsonian Institution Archives).

In retirement, he wrote several articles on the life of Jack London, High School “Cowboys” and published the history of Colton, CA.

For all his educational experiences, his family was the most important to him.

Rodolfo was married to his wife Greta on December 17, 1955. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage. They met at San Jose State University and Rodolfo knew immediately he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He considered her to be the stalwart of the family. His love for his wife Greta was immeasurable and always visible.

His children Randolph, Michael and Lisa were the brightest stars in his life. Rodolfo loved his family with all his heart and soul. He was also blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren: Steven, Jessica, Matthew, Alyssa, Christina, Nicholas, and Ava. He was very fond of his kids’ spouses, Stacey, Angela and Vance.

He was a man who often said he was born 150 years too late. He loved listening to his music (classical, opera and swing band era), hiking with his boys and other friends in the high sierra, flying his sailplane in Tehachapi and traveling with his wife all over England and Europe.

Rodolfo revered his immediate family. Rodolfo was preceded in death by his parents Tirso and Luisa, his brothers and sister Felix, Edward, Tirso, and Maria Luisa. He is survived by his sisters Amalia, Isabel Palomino, and his brother Alfred. In their own way, they all influenced his life and for that he was extremely grateful. He loved them all very much.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 15, 2017 at 11am at Clovis Veterans Memorial, 808 Fourth St. Clovis, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the educational institution of your choice. On-line guest book: http://bit.ly/2kYhNcI

Arrangements under the direction of Boice Funeral Home, Clovis, CA.