With heavy hearts and great sadness, we announce the passing of Robin Perry Brooks, beloved brother, husband, father, uncle, papa and friend.
Lovingly known to most as Robbie, he left us peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the age of 70.
Born June 2, 1954, at Cottage Hospital, Robbie was a third-generation Santa Barbaran, and the middle child of Carolyn Elizalde Brooks and Calvin Perry Brooks. He grew up in their Mesa home on Santa Catalina Avenue, with older sister Karen and younger brother Brett.
While attending Santa Barbara High School, Robbie met the love of his life Scotti Miller, and graduated in 1971. The day he spotted her across the quad, it was love at first sight, so much so that he walked into a pole.
On Aug. 12, 1978, the couple married at her family home in Montecito and were together for 52 years. They welcomed their first child Dustin in 1984, and their daughter Perry in 1988.
After high school, Robbie followed in father CP’s footsteps and started work for Granite Construction, and was soon followed by his brother Brett.
Robbie’s hard-working spirit and strong work ethic commanded respect, and he was trusted with major projects. He was the go-to guy when paving the Santa Barbara Airport, and one of the first (and few) on the response team for the 2018 debris flow.
He devoted 46 years working for Granite, and retired as a foreman in 2019. Countless miles of freeway and roadways in California were paved by Robbie. When you smell asphalt and see a green Granite truck, think of Robbie.
His true passion was music. His love began when he learned to play the drums as a boy. At the age of 12, he received his first set of drums, the same iconic blue drum set you’d see Robbie playing throughout his life.
Over the years he played in countless bands, shows and celebrations. It was his happy place and his love for playing music never faded, only deepened with time.
Though playing the drums was at his core, all music flowed through his veins. He lived it, breathed it, and shared it with everyone around him. He could pick up any instrument and make it sing.
Robbie was known for an impromptu jam session and for tearing it up on the dance floor. He was a natural dancer. He spread his love of music to his children whom he then followed around the country and across the ocean to support in their music endeavors.
He was a true Mesa rat, growing up just a block from Leadbetter Beach. So much so that his tires were the first to ride down Shoreline hill after his father paved the original road.
As a local, Robbie was a true lover of the ocean. He was a spirited fisherman, surfer and boater. He would always say his favorite view of Santa Barbara was from the ocean.
He and his brother Brett not only shared a boat together, the Carolina-Honey, but also that love of the ocean and fishing. They sounded so similar, and you could hear them a mile away.
Robbie also enjoyed boating at his second home at Lake Nacimiento, and enjoyed waterskiing in his younger years.
The lake truly became his second home where he made close friends and became a big part of the community. If he wasn’t working with his buddies around the property, you could find him sitting on the porch sipping coffee, napping in the hammock, or playing music on Saturday nights at Bee Rock store.
Robbie was the central thread woven through the closely knit fabric of the Brooks family. He had a big, boisterous family that he was proud to be a part of, and though hectic at times it was filled with love. He kept everything running and was always there for them in good times and bad.
A true foreman, he would drive around the Mesa checking in on everyone and taking care of things that needed doing or fixing. He always had a project working on his children’s houses with them and teaching them along the way.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping and working on engines with his son Dustin. He and Perry would often perform together: Robbie playing the drums or guitar and Perry singing. He was truly their biggest fan.
Robbie lived for his family: a devoted husband, a caring father and, most recently, his proudest role — Papa.
The day following his 60th birthday in 2014 he was greeted with his first granddaughter Skyler Robin, then his second Riley Kai in 2018.
Papa, as he came to be known, enjoyed playing music for (and later with) them; attending their music and dance performances; walking the dogs at the Wilcox Property with them; swimming with them; playing catch and attending their softball and soccer games; teaching them to ride bikes, fix boats; and the right way to do many things.
Robbie was a loyal and generous friend. He would drop everything to help out a friend in need. He loved to chat and would make friends with everyone. Even if you didn’t know him he would make you feel like he knew you.
He would captivate you with his expressive story-telling and leave an impression that you would not soon forget. The world will never be the same again without his presence.
A beloved son, brother, husband, father, papa, uncle, and friend to many, Robbie’s life was deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Barbara — a soul whose song will never fade from our hearts.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.
Robbie is survived by his wife Scotti; children Dustin (Samantha) and Perry; granddaughters Skyler Robin and Riley Kai; brother Brett (Shannon); nieces Lindsey, Brittany, Cheyanne (Steven) and Chloe. He is preceded in death by his mother Carolyn, father Calvin Perry, and sister Karen.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 18 at Leadbetter Beach. Please RSVP and find additional information at everloved.com/life-of/robin-brooks/.