Juan Bustamante dies at 65; was popular SoCal sprinter
Juan sprints at UCSB’s Club West Masters in October 2007.
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Juan Bustamante, a mainstay of the Southern California masters circuit and a loyal reader of this blog, has died at age 65. Brenda Matthews, president of the Southern California Striders, his club, passed along the news: “It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Juan Bustamante. Dan Girling informed me that Juan lost his battle with cancer and passed away last Friday. Juan Bustamonte had been a Strider for at least 22 years. . . . . He thoroughly enjoyed competing and was motivated to get himself in better condition. Juan expressed to me his excitement that the SC Striders track club was still active. . . . My condolences to the family.” Juan was a big man — a few years back he told me he weighed 230 pounds — but he could still bring it in the sprints.
His beer belly may have helped him win at the tape sometimes. At the 1989 World Masters Athletic Championships in Eugene, Oregon, he competed in the M45 sprints, running a 12.32 in the 100.
His last meet may have been Andy Hecker’s “indoor meet outdoors” at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana in March 2008.
I first learned of Juan’s passing from fellow sixty-something sprinter Bill Knocke.
Bill wrote me:
Dr. Juan Bustamante passed away last week. Dan Girling had informed me that he was dying of a form of skin cancer. I tried to get a hold of but to no avail. Girling said he had went off on a last adventure. I called his office in Lomita (where I was raised) and they informed me of his passing. For us that knew him over the last 25 years, it was a hard loss.
On the eve of my ACL surgery in November 2007, Juan posted this gracious comment on this blog:
Hola Ken. Animo y mucha suerte con tu operacion. Ooooops. Hi Ken. Good luck with your surgery. No excuses to run under 13.00 in 110 hurdles. Better yet, join me in throwing the discus or shot put.
In May 2007, Juan posted this comment on a blog about Payton Jordan:
One of the many joys of my years of masters competition has been having the privilege to meet and know classy people, great athletes and beautiful human beings as Payton Jordan. Payton, take care of yourself. I am looking forward to give you a big hug. From the guy from Spain.
Classy defined Juan as well. We’ll really miss you, big guy.
Juan, kneeling in front, is shown with his age group’s 100-meter field from what was likely his last race — at the John Ward Masters Games in April 2008 at Santa Ana College. Tony Craddock, standing second from left, provided this photo.
11 Responses
I’m so saddened to learn that Juan passed away. I didn’t know he had cancer.
I first met Juan in the early-’90s. He was always upbeat and a joy to be around. His personality was as big (or bigger) than his famous beer belly.
One of the few downsides to our masters program is seeing people we’ve come to know and respect leave us.
Stephen Robbins
You will be missed my friend
We lost a great person and athlete.
What a Shock! Juan was the NICEST of guys you could ever meet. Ever so upbeat, I first met him at the Birmingham meet about 5 years ago. He was the guy you could count on to loosen the moment up before the race with a funny comment & his laugh. The Masters Track scene in So Cal will miss him dearly. My condolences go out to his family.
Juan was a kind and gentle soul who always had a smile on his face and made us all laugh when he was with us. What is better than that? Godspeed Juan.
To all in our masters family,if you have had the opportunity to meet jaun ,his love for masters track and his fellow,man are remembered most by me,he was the only person helping ,fellow usa runners at the worlds,and did it with such pride and joy ,its not the end of your race jaun,its the start of a race that has no finish line and you will have victory in god ,to the family we all love the special man,how always ran because he loved it so much.Mount your wings god bless and godspeed.
It has been so lovely and comforting to read everyone’s kind comments about my father. I just found out about this blog and realized that my dad had posted to it on occassion.
He absolutely loved the Striders and I have fond memories of going to numerous track meets to cheer him on. He loved to make others laugh and truly enjoy the meets. I’m so proud of him and miss him dearly, but I know that he’s making numeous souls laugh in heaven.
Juan and I were a few months apart in age and we had been going at it in the sprints for 20 something years. Our last meeting was at the John Ward meet at Santa Ana College this year, and someone thoughtfully provided a post-race photo of all the competitors in our heat, and there is Juan, large as life. I believe this was his last race. I told Dan Girling what I had told Juan many times, that Juan was a better pure athlete than I ever was, and that if he dropped a few pounds, he would go back to giving me all I could handle in the 100m – I particularly remember a race at UCI in the ’80s where he beat me by 3/100ths. Juan insisted that enjoying good food was part of his Spanish tradition. I’m so glad that we were able to laugh and kid around (“everyone gets a hug after the race”) at his last race. I’ll miss you buddy, with your thick Spanish accent and sunny disposition. But…you did beat me to the pearly gates, so you finished a winner! My condolences to your family.
Sorry for this loss. I know Bill Knocke and he’s a wonderful friend and I know he would have been crushed over losing a fellow Masters Track member. I apologize for using this medium to locate my friend Bill Knocke, but we have lost touch over the past few years and would like to at least get his current email address. Can anyone help me with this? Some of Bill’s friends may remember me as I helped out at the Huntsville, Al meet back in 2001. Sincerely – Kristen
I learned today of Dr. Bustamante’s death. I was a patient of his for many years and I owe my life to him for getting me through a very tough time when my mother died many years ago. I just can’t believe that he is gone. He was a wonderful doctor who I will always remember and I know that God has made a special place for him in heaven. Rest in Peace Dr. Bustamante, you are loved by many.
I am very sad to learn of Dr. Bustamante’s passing today, that I am in tears. He was such a wonderful person, that sometimes you question…why do great people die so early?????I knew him for many years as a patient/friend and he was the most caring, understanding and overall wonderful doctor!!!!Rest in peace Dr. Bustamante!!!! We will miss you!!!!!
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