DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Dixon community learned this week that Rob Salaber, 58, passed suddenly on Christmas Day from a heart attack, one day before his birthday.

Rob was part of Cal Bears rugby teams winning national championships three times in the 1980s and graduated from the University of California Berkeley in Civil Engineering in 1987.

He spent seven years with the Caltrans Office of Structure Construction becoming familiar with local, State and Federal procedures and requirements, served five years with a private construction management firm, and established his own engineering firm, Salaber and Associates, in 1999 in downtown Dixon with a philosophy of ‘Principles Before Profits.’

Married to Mary, the couple bought a lot in Dixon in 1991 near Tremont Elementary where he built their custom home and moved in at the end of 1992.

The couple raised their four children here while both owning businesses – hers was ‘Glory,’ a high-end home décor retail and online store – and also while they renovated downtown buildings.

After being elected in 1992 to City Council, he worked with then Mary Ann Courville and then Police Chief Rick Fuller to establish the Dixon Community Crime Watch Plan thus getting citizens to be the eyes and ears for the police department, said Courville.

“The Neighborhood Watch was created, Community Policing, and the officers became more involved and engaged with the community,” she added.

While serving as President for the Downtown Dixon Business Association, he was instrumental in starting the Downtown Revitalization Plan which used Federal, State, and City money to develop new streets, sidewalks, landscaping, Highway 113 repaved and making downtown more ADA compliant, she reported.

But perhaps most notable to the community was starting the Solo Rugby Club in 2006.

“Rob was the catalyst who started rugby in Dixon and brought the team to the Championships where they won. He worked hard and believed in his community, investing countless hours of dedication to it and his family. Dixon was lucky to have someone like him who cared,” said DDBA President Jill Orr in a social media post that quickly attracted nearly a hundred responses.

Local real estate agent Angela Meisenheimer worked heavily with Salaber and his wife, Mary, in the promotion of their businesses through DDBA.

“All the countless volunteering hours were absolutely remarkable,” she posted on social media. “Rob and Mary set the state and direction for Dixon and our community was so fortunate because of you. Rob’s passion will always live on through those who knew him and all those he inspired!”

Rob was beloved by hundreds of families who played for the Dixon team that earned them the USA Rugby Boy’s High School National Championship in 2012. Many of the Rugby boys went on to earn degrees and have successful careers under his mentorship, parents said.

“Rob was such an incredible advocate, coach, and involved citizen. Dixon benefitted so much from his time here,” said Julie Mustard. “The lives of young people he coached in Rugby is immeasurable.”

The Salabers sold their properties and retired, moving to Idaho about four years ago.

No funeral plans have been set at press time.