Robert C. Coates

1937 - 2024

Robert C. Coates
January 31, 1937 - January 3, 2024
La Jolla Raised in Pacific Beach by his parents H Crawford Coates and Genevieve (Teachout) Coates at a time when most of the streets were unpaved and Mt. Soledad was sagebrush and deer. He devoted his life to innumerable areas of service in the community of San Diego including the environment, climate change, justice, scouting, and homelessness and served President or Chairman of more than 16 organizations.
As a lad, Bob was a devoted "baseball guy" and played 3rd base for the City Champions PB Reds, was MVP his senior year at La Jolla High School in 1954 and played at SDSU. He was also a regular attendee of the annual La Jolla High School Alumni baseball game.
He served in the Naval Reserve and after an unsuccessful bid for a state assembly seat in 1964 Bob attended Cal Western School of Law and began his 59 year long career in the legal system. He was a trial lawyer for 12 years and was appointed to the bench in 1982 where he served for over 28 years after which he went back to private practice. While on the court, Judge Coates was involved in the establishment of the successful SIP (Serial Inebriate Program) which is seen as a model for treating chronic alcohol abuse. Additionally, Judge Coates focused on how the court handles homelessness and mental health issues.
Judge Coates authored several books. A 1984 book of his poetry entitled "Ships Crossing at the Dead of Night" was followed by "A Street is Not a Home", a book addressing solutions to American homelessness. This book became the "bible" for several Grand Juries. His court experience is related in "Crazy People in Court", 30 courtroom stories, each with a mental health theme. Coates wrote a men's cookbook entitled "The Guys' Who Can't Cook Cookbook". He also co-authored "Quotations for The Public Person" with his best friend, Robert E. Miner.
Judge Coates was a regular swimmer at La Jolla Cove and a member of the La Jolla Cove Swim Club. He was also a scoutmaster of La Jolla Boy Scout Troop 4 from 1996-1998. As an advocate for addressing the challenges of climate change, he was engaged with multiple scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD for public education events, publications and advocacy.
Judge Coates is survived by his beloved wife of 19 years, Ana Maria Fernandez-Coates; and his daughter Whitney, Son Cameron and four grandchildren.
Judge Coates hopes to have met his Savior by the time you read this, and he wanted to assure everyone of his profound love for them.
The Family asks that in lieu of flowers please send a check to: Boy Scouts of America, 1207 Upas St., San Diego CA 92103
A celebration of Judge Coates' life will be held Saturday afternoon Feb 3rd at 12:00 p.m. at the St. Stephen's Church of God and Christ, 5825 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92114

Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight