Steven J. Drobeck - Steve’s Lock Service

May 20, 1950 - May 20, 2021

A native Californian, Steve Drobeck spent 70 years in Downey. He attended Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary School, East Junior High, and Downey High School. Steve developed his locksmithing skills while he was in junior high as he and his brother worked for their father at Gene’s Lock Service. He joined the US Navy in 1970, where he honorably served our country during the Vietnam War. He did 2 tours aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier in the China Seas, just off the coast of Vietnam. In 1973, he returned home and resumed working at the family business with his dad while serving one more year in the Navy’s active reserves. In 1981, he opened his own business, Steve’s Lock Service, located next to the main Downey post office on Firestone Blvd. Steve was a third generation locksmith and worked hard to earn a good reputation in the city of Downey and surrounding areas for 40 years. Over the years he trained many people who became like family to him.

Steve was a hard working locksmith by trade but willingly volunteered a tremendous amount of his time to charity work and never missed an opportunity to help others. An active member of St. Raymond Catholic Church, he gave much of his time to the church and the Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 362 at St. Raymond, raising monies to help others.

At Christmastime, Steve was known to many as “Santa” when he spent countless hours bringing holiday cheer to children and adults alike. His first appearance was in 1983 at a family gathering and “Santa” could be seen at “Santa’s Candy Cottage” on the corner of Horley Avenue & Hondo Street. The Drobeck home became a “must do” Christmas outing for hundreds of families. “Santa” could also be seen at many other community and charitable events throughout the years.

Steve is survived by his wife Charlene Drobeck, brother Richard Drobeck, sister-in law Mary Margaret Drobeck, niece Gina Higginbotham (and husband David), niece Michelle Laven (and husband Lance), nephew Jason Drobeck, and grand nieces and nephews: Emma and Evan Higginbotham, and Samuel, Elijah, and Juliet Laven.