Robert James Westwick

Jim Westwick died May 26 after a determined fight with chronic illness. He is survived by his wife Phyllis; his daughter Anne Westwick Dolder (Christopher) of Dallas, Texas, son John Keirn Westwick of San Ramon, CA, and son Peter James Westwick (Medeighnia) of Santa Barbara, and his seven grandchildren; and Phyllis's daughters Karla Keller of S.B. and Kristi Curtis (Randy) of Whitefish, Montana and their two children; he was preceded in death by his brother John, sister Janice, and Phyllis's daughter Kippy Harris. Jim was born March 30, 1931 in Cottage Hospital. His father, Robert, was an engineer and County Road Commissioner of Santa Barbara; his mother Ethel, was the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries. The family ran the old Westwick Iron Works (founded 1911) in town. As a youth he learned to play tennis at Oak Park, and played on the Santa Barbara High tennis team. After graduating from Santa Barbara High (class of '48) he attended UCSB and played first doubles on the tennis team.After graduating in 1953 with a degree in economics, he served in the U.S. Army infantry from 1954 to 1956. He was First Lieutenant (S4) responsible for four companies and was stationed in Augsburg, West Germany at the height of the Cold War. In 1955 he married Dorothy Keirn, whom he met at UCSB; they had three children: Anne (born 1961), John (1963), and Peter (1967). Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he pursued a career in the law, continuing a Westwick family tradition started by his uncle Atwell Westwick and his brother John, both distinguished judges on the Superior Court bench in Santa Barbara. He attended Hastings College of Law in San Francisco and in 1959 was admitted to the California State Bar. He returned to Santa Barbara and entered practice with his brother before founding the law firm of Westwick, Collison, and Talaga. He specialized in criminal and family law and tried a number of high-profile cases, including the Grove, Roehler, and Quaglino trials.His law practice gained him the respect of his colleagues and the gratitude of countless clients. He was recognized for his work by the Santa Barbara County Bar Association (where he served as President, 1976) and by membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Jim knew the Santa Barbara backcountry like the back of his hand and fished or hunted much of it. He first explored it from the family cabin at Paradise camp and then on many later trips there and to the Sierras. He rode with Rancheros Visitadores as a member of the Paisanos camp every year since 1969, and sat on their board of directors for ten years. He was also active in Santa Barbara Trail Riders, served as their president one year, and competed in the Fiesta Rodeo. Jim and Phyllis married in 1972 and loved to travel. Their favorite destinations included Mexico, Africa, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, Panama, Alaska, Hawaii, Tahiti, Japan, and trips throughout the United States. He liked to immerse himself in foreign cultures and took particular pride in mastering the local language. Jim Westwick was a 3rd generation Santa Barbaran. He knew the land and the people and was truly at home here. He volunteered for decades with Old Spanish Days; he could regularly be found helping line up the Fiesta Parade, was a longtime board member, and was El Presidente in S.B.'s bicentennial year of 1982. His office balcony hosted many parade parties. He was a regular at the University Club and was an avid bridge player; his regular partners knew that his technical play was matched by his verbal gamesmanship. He was also a member of El Pescatores, Los Fiesteros dance club, and "Pobres." Above all, he was a raconteur with a boundless store of jokes and tales, told in his distinctive booming voice, and was well known around town. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the S.B. Cancer Center or S.B. Hospice; the family also suggests friends meet for a drink and good company. Interment will be private. A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, June 4 from 2-5 p.m. at the University Club; western attire acceptable, but guns must be checked at the door.

Robert James Westwick

March 30, 1931 - May 26, 2011