DR. GABRIEL YOSHI PETERS-LAZARO, P.H.D.
Dr. Gabriel Yoshi PetersLazaro, P.h.D. died at age 41 on May 13th, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones, at home. He was born in Sacramento, California and grew up in Chico, California. He endured the relentless highs and lows of cancer for three years.
Despite the often unbearable pain he suffered, Gabriel remained his kind, thoughtful and loving self. Gabriel is survived by his wife Robyn; children Maxine and Zachary; mother Andrea Peters; father Dr. Steven Lazaro; sisters Olivia and Miranda; brother Sebastian; niece Vivienne; and mountains of wonderful, loving friends and extended family.
An enthusiastic learner and passionate teacher his entire life, Gabriel received his B.A. in Film Studies from UC Berkeley, completed his M.F.A. in Film Directing and Production at UCLA and earned a Ph.D. in Media Arts + Practice from USC, where he became a professor.
A skilled teacher, he was loved and respected by students and colleagues. He co-authored two books, Popular Culture and the Civic Imagination: Case Studies of Creative Social Change and Practicing Futures: A Civic Imagination Action Handbook. One of Gabriel’s biggest dreams in
life was to have a family and he was overwhelmed with joy when he and Robyn welcomed Maxine into the world. He and Maxine had a special connection and he was so proud to be her dad. While Gabriel was not able to welcome Zachary
to the outside world, he said he already knew him and loved him entirely.
Gabriel traveled all over the world teaching and exploring. He loved the ocean and taught himself and his friends to surf. He took great pleasure in books and films and precisely making his morning coffee which he took black and hot. He played piano and guitar, and loved all kinds of music; he met his wife Robyn while in line to see their favorite band at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Gabriel was simply the best - the best human, friend, teacher, son, brother, husband and father. He gave us all light and warmth with his smile and laugh, his sharp and sometimes goofy sense of humor, and his generous nature. He had to leave us much too soon and will be missed, always.
Before he passed away, a celebration of his life took place online on May 4th. He said it made him feel “truly uplifted.”
If you would like to share thoughts with the family or be included in future memorial events please email: gabrielpet erslazaromemorial@gm ail.com. USC has created the Gabriel PetersLazaro Memorial Student Award Fund to honor him. This annual award will be given to a graduating senior in the Media Arts + Practice program who brings Gabriel’s qualities of excellence, curiosity, cheerfulness and wonder to their own media practice, and like Gabriel, desires to build a better future. Donations are much appreciated and can be made by visiting this website: ??h ttps://app.mobilecause. com/vf/GABE or by texting GABE to 71777 for a link.