Remembering Dr. John Bullaro Cal Poly RPTA Faculty Member
Dr. John Bullaro, Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration Faculty passed away July 25, 2018
Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Department faculty member Dr. John Bullaro completed his teaching career at Cal Poly from 1993 until 2009 for the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department. He considered his time at Cal Poly to be the highlight of his professional career.
Dr. Bullaro's obituary as it appeared in
the San Luis Obispo Tribune is below. The Celebration of Life will be held September 22 with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Calpoly Moyer and Bullaro Scholarship offered to Cal Poly Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration students in his memory.
To donate in honor of John's passion for teaching and student development, please select this link and write in "Moyer/Bullaro scholarship". If you would like to mail your donation, please make your check out to Cal Poly Foundation noting the Moyer/Bullaro scholarship, and mail to Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Department, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.
Reprinted from The Tribune:
John Joseph Bullaro - 1931- 2018. On July 25, 2018, John Bullaro, peacefully passed away at his home in Atascadero with his wife, Cynthia, at his side. In his 86 years John lived a life full of love, passions and adventures. John was born in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Jean Bullaro and was an only child until the arrival of his sister, Betty, 18 years later.
John spent his childhood in Chicago, attending the same elementary school that his mother did, McPherson Elementary. John graduated from Amundsen High School in 1949. The family moved to Los Angeles, CA. in 1952. During his early years he developed his life- long enjoyment of cycling, football and cars. He was still riding his bicycle into his eighties. John was comfortable in a variety of settings, but his spirit was most fulfilled when he was out in nature whether it was on a long bicycle ride, hiking in the woods or just sitting quietly by a stream. He frequently said that he felt most at home in the mountains. A legacy that our "Mountain Guy" passed on to his family.
He graduated from Los Angeles State College in 1955 with a psychology degree and obtained his master's degree from New York University in 1956. Later at the age of 46 he went back to earn his Ph.D from Claremont Graduate School in 1979. He began his professional career working for the Boys' Club of Hollywood while attending LA State and left in 1960 when he took a sales position with the New York Life Insurance company. By the time he left the company in 1970 he was the Regional Manager for the South Pacific Region located in Los Angeles.
His next career change found him teaching for the Leisure Studies Department at California State University, Northridge starting in 1973. Combining his business experiences and personal recreational interests, he taught a variety of courses and developed one of the first commercial recreation courses taught at the university level. Later he would write the first textbook on the subject. His favorite classes to teach were backpacking and bicycle touring where he was able to share his outdoor passions with his students.
He completed his teaching career at Cal Poly from 1993 until 2009 for the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department. He considered his time at Cal Poly to be the highlight of his professional career. John married Judy Palmer in 1958. Son, David, arrived in 1963, followed by daughter, Patricia, in 1965. While the marriage ended in 1977, they remained on friendly terms until Judy's passing in 2011.
In 1978, John met his future wife, Cynthia Moyer. They celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary on July 16. As kindred spirits they shared a life full of adventures and love. John was a pillar of strength and mentor not only to his family and friends but to the many service organizations to which he belonged. With his charismatic personality, wit, and intelligence he had the ability to inspire and influence others. He was the one others sought out for support, guidance and encouragement. He was a creative, curious thinker who didn't hesitant to take risks, challenge established ideas or try new experiences. He had a thirst for knowledge and loved to learn new things. While he was not a game player, you wouldn't want to play "Trivial Pursuit" with him as he was known as the family's "walking encyclopedia."
At the age of 62 when most people start to think about slowing down, John joined the San Luis Obispo Search and Rescue Team (SLOSAR). He found SAR to be the perfect outlet for his desire to serve his community, learn new skills, apply his outdoor skills and his share his love of nature. He was an active search member until the age of 80 when he decided it was time for the next generation of searchers to take over. For ten years John was also a patrol volunteer for the Atascadero Police Department. John always had a youthful spirit. While his body and mind gave way to the battle of age, his heart and soul stayed strong and young. There was always the little boy gleam in his eye. Parkinson's may have robbed him of his mobility, but never his hope. To the end, he talked about the day when he could get on his bike or head to the mountains again.
John is and always will be dearly missed by his wife, Cynthia; daughter, Patricia Hamilton; son-in-law, Eric; and grandsons, Austin and Garrett; his sister, Betty and several close friends who are considered family. John's ashes will be spread by his family along his favorite hiking trails. A Celebration of Life will be held in September with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to either San Luis Obispo Search and Rescue Team - contact the SLO Sheriff office or the Moyer/ Bullaro Scholarship at Cal Poly, write checks to Cal Poly Foundation with mention of the scholarship and mailed to Grant Kirkpatrick, Cal Poly Development office, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, 93407.