On December 21, 2021, Rocky Bettar, Adult Education Champion Extraordinaire passed away, in the comfort of his home and with his family nearby. Before his passing, he had served as the co-chair for the Regional Adult Education Consortium for over 6 years. Rocky fought multiple cancer battles with grit, determination and his own brand of saltiness that we all came to love. We will miss his leadership and fierce dedication to adult education and even in his last weeks he was still working and making sure that we were all informed. His physical presence is gone, but the lessons he left with us even while courageously approaching death left us with inspiration for many years to come. We will miss his counsel, friendship, and of course the bantering.  

 

Rocky’s contribution to adult education and Rowland Unified School District will never be forgotten. He worked tirelessly, with passion and fire, to ensure that his adult students had the classes and services to transform their lives. He was active statewide and considered one of the foremost experts on adult education policy, AB86, California Adult Education Program.  He was also a diehard LA Dodger fan and even took himself to spring training! It wasn’t too long ago that he was running up and down basketball courts and football fields as a referee. He certainly kept pace with the athletes even though most of us couldn’t keep pace with him! 

We will never forget his sense of humor, his pointed wit, his kindness and genuine concern for our well-being, and the bantering about that he so enjoyed. Rocky, may you Rest In Peace!

 

We miss you dearly and you’ll always be in our hearts.  

 

-Madelyn Arballo, Ed.D.
Co-chair