Bob Santos (February 25, 1934 – August 27, 2016) was an American minority-rights activist from Seattle who worked to preserve Seattle's Chinatown and International District. Santos was a member of the Gang of Four and a prominent member of the Filipino American community of Seattle.[1][2][3]

Bob Santos
Born(1934-02-25)February 25, 1934
DiedAugust 27, 2016(2016-08-27) (aged 82)
Other names"Uncle Bob"
SpouseSharon Tomiko Santos

Career

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During 1960s, the Chinatown–International District, Seattle had become what Santos called a ghetto. Interstate 5 was constructed in middle of the neighborhood and forced several businesses to be demolished. A group of business owners came together to forge change and Santos ended up leading them.

He focused on preserving as much low-income housing as possible and helped lead a group that attempted to prevent construction of the Kingdome and successfully blocked construction of a McDonald's.

He served as the executive director of the International District Improvement Association in the mid-1970s to late 1980s.

He worked as regional director of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1994 to 2001.

Personal life

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His first wife was Anita Agbalog with whom he had six children. In 1992, he married Sharon Tomiko Santos who was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1998.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "'Uncle Bob' Santos, legendary civil-rights activist, dies at 82". The Seattle Times. 2016-08-27. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  2. ^ KOMO Staff. "Seattle mourns loss of 'Uncle' Bob Santos". KOMO. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  3. ^ "Renowned Civil Rights Leader "Uncle" Bob Santos Dies at 82". The Stranger. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  4. ^ Frank Chesley (2016-08-28). "Santos, Robert "Bob" Nicholas (1934-2016) - HistoryLink.org Essay #8989". www.historylink.org. Retrieved 2018-03-04. Originally written 2009-04-20, updated 2016-08-28 after Santos's death.