Michael Acosta

1940 - 2023

Michael Acosta

February 21, 1940 - September 3, 2023

Sacramento, California - MICHAEL ACOSTA

1940-2023

Michael was born in El Paso Texas to Francisca and Miguel Acosta. His parents moved to Los Angeles, bringing Mike and his sister Margarita when Mike was three years old; his sister Rachel and brother Daniel were born in Los Angeles.

Mike grew up in Aliso Village, attended the Dolores Mission, where he made his First Communion, and was influenced by Jesuit priests. Mike's leadership skills were recognized by the priests, who asked Mike to assure his friends attended church services.

Mike was taught to read by his Mother, and when he began classes at Utah Street Elementary, he brought his reading skills with him. His classmates were impressed that he could recite children's rhymes in English and Spanish.

Mike's parents moved the family to the San Fernando Valley, intent on keeping Mike away from gang life. Growing up, Mike attained the rank of Eagle Scout after meeting all requirements and earning numbers of merit badges.

Mike attended Notre Dame High School and graduated from North Hollywood High, playing on the golf team. He caddied at Rancho Park golf course and counted Hollywood stars among his golf partners. Mike studied percussion with musician Haskell "Hack" O'Brien, a well-known drummer for several big band era ensembles and the father of Mouseketeer Cubby.

At 19 years of age, Mike joined the Marine Corps Reserve, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. Marine Corps leaders nominated him for officer training school, but Mike chose to attend Seattle University, where his sisters graduated. Mike served in the Marines during peacetime, between the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War, but always considered himself a Marine.

In 1967, after graduating from Seattle University, Mike returned to Los Angeles, passed a rigorous written State civil service exam, and began working in the Employment Development Department. Turning down the crème de la creme of assignments in the Wilshire Boulevard Professional Office, Mike chose to serve at the East Los Angeles (ELA) Service Center, where community members soon drafted him to head the Service Center Advisory Committee.

During the War on Poverty years, federal funds flowed into ELA and Mike's committee influenced grant-making, assuring funds reached the intended population, earning the ire of non-profit administrators involved in questionable practices.

Mike visited correctional facilities, taking essential toiletries to incarcerated men, and once prisoners were released, helped them bridge the gap between prison and jobs.

To assist people learning interview skills and how to keep a job, Mike taught classes on job readiness.

Among the people Mike helped obtain employment were women seeking non-traditional occupations.

Mike attended UCLA Extension School, earned a Certificate in the new Civil Rights Act, and worked to assure all employment practices complied with the law.

Volunteering in ELA, Mike became the only male member of the Comisión Femenil and baked cakes for their meetings. He met and became friends with many Latina community leaders.

Mike took his personnel skills and experience to Los Angeles City Hall, where he worked for Mayors Sam Yorty and Tom Bradley.

In 1974, ELA friends Armando Esparza and David Romero tried to match Mike with a professor at Rio Hondo College. In June 1975, they were able to arrange a blind date at Luminarias in Monterey Park. Mike and Lola dated that summer and Mike proposed marriage Labor Day weekend. They married Valentine's Day, 1976, moving to Sacramento in December with a newborn baby, launching a new chapter working in state government.

In 1978, Mike began working for Provider Enrollment in the California Medi-Cal Program where he introduced innovative ways to prevent exploitation of the billing system by unscrupulous health care providers.

In 1981, Mike attended a training session provided by the Boeing Corporation on Managing Large Information Systems. In 1983, the billing efficiencies he introduced into policy came to the attention of newly elected Governor Deukmejian, who, in one of his first official acts reassigned Mike out of Provider Enrollment.

Mike continued applying his new knowledge of large computer applications to the Department of Health's development of an independent billing system intended to save taxpayers vast overbilling costs for medical claims processing.

In 1986 Mike applied for a vacancy at the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ sought an experienced executive who could improve electronic access to criminal history information for local law enforcement. Mike competed against several internal candidates and was selected by Attorney General John Van de Kamp.

Breaking the color barrier at the Division of Law Enforcement, in his new position Mike was responsible for overseeing the work of ninety managers and supervisors and nine hundred employees. Even as he succeeded in this high-level and crucial job, Mike had to endure personal attacks calling him a "dumb Mexican," and received mysterious harassing phone calls in the middle of the night. Mike confronted and persevered against this kind of pressure throughout his career.

Mike obtained desktop computers for employees who had been manually processing fingerprint cards and using outdated technology to store the information. Mike was able to reduce the processing time for criminal history searches needed by local district attorneys so they could properly charge arrested individuals based on prior offenses.

In 1991, Attorney General Dan Lungren re-assigned Mike to head the Bureau of Criminal Statistics, where he collected and published reports summarizing statewide data, interfaced with local and federal counterparts, and advised legislators on the emerging Hate Crime law.

The years of organizational enmity took a toll on Mike, causing his stomach to ache at all hours. He took one year off for medical reasons, returned to work and in 2001, retired on medical advice at age 61.

Throughout the years, Mike was an avid amateur golfer, gourmet cook, and student of history and philosophy. His extensive book collection fills his home, representing his curiosity and intellect. Themes guiding his life were devotion to his family, an abiding search for justice, respect for the good and the potential in each person he encountered and a love of nature.

September 3, 2023, Mike died at his Sacramento home at the age of 83. He leaves Lola, his wife of 47 years, his two children, Franciska and Miguel David, four grandchildren, his mother Francisca, his brother Daniel, sister Rachel, and nieces and nephews. He joins his father Miguel and sister Margarita in the hereafter.

Religious services and a Celebration of Life were held privately. The family thanks friends and family members who traveled distances to honor Michael's memory.

Donations may be made in the name of Michael Acosta to the Seattle University Foundation, 901 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 222000, Seattle WA 98122-1090.