In-person memorials make a comeback in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - In-person memorials are back following COVID-19 delays.

On Saturday, friends and family gathered at the Mission Rose Garden in Santa Barbara to remember Earl "Rob" Johnson.

The retired carpenter was a Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade volunteer. The brigade began after the Montecito Mudslide in 2018.

Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade co-founder Abe Powell said Johnson always showed up to help .

"Earl gave his time, and gave his time and gave his time, and through the course of this, we got to know him, and to respect him, and ultimately love him. He was such a gentle, kind, consistent energy, and everybody brings an energy to a group dynamic, and his energy was like the keel in the water, " said Powell.

Johnson's cousin Stephanie Stackhouse of San Luis Obispo remembered how he took a family cherry tree and turned it into a custom table and gave it to her as a wedding gift.

Johnson also worked on buildings at UCSB and homes of clients and friends.

He often road his bike to community events.

His family in Lakeville, Connecticut, held a memorial on his June 11 birthday.

His mother sent some of his ashes in tubes to be spread throughout Santa Barbara.

Johnson died of complications due to cancer. He was 66 years old.