A beloved member of our Bruin Community, Bobby was a kind-hearted, intelligent, and happy person. He had a passion for helping others, especially those living with substance abuse disorder. Sadly, in April of 2024, Bobby lost his life to an opioid overdose. Bobby’s story is one of resilience and strength, beautifully expressed in his mother’s testimony. We honor Bobby’s life and legacy today and always.
Early Life and Struggles with Addiction
Bobby was born September 17th, 1994. Bobby was always a happy, friendly, beautiful baby, As a boy and teenager he always got recognized from school as friendly, kind hearted, funny, happy, and athletic. Bobby excelled in swimming and football. His favorite place he loved vacationing to was Hawaii. However at the age of 15, Bobby innocently got addicted to opioids when getting his wisdom teeth extracted. At that time Bobby secretly tried to cope with what no teenager should have to deal with.
At the age of 15, Bobby innocently got addicted to opioids when getting his wisdom teeth extracted. At that time Bobby secretly tried to cope with what no teenager should have to deal with.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
Mette Lampcov for NPR/visual Coverage for NPR Science
He was starting the school of his dreams and felt he was so appreciative that he wanted to give back.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
Academic Success and Passions
After years of rehabs, sober livings, Bobby turned his life around and went back to college. Bobby started getting A's on all subjects, his GPA was over a 4.0. Bobby was recognized from Los Angeles Valley College for his academic excellence with receiving the highest merit the President's Award for 2 years.
Bobby had many interests, but understanding the earth fascinated him. He chose Geography as his major because he wanted to understand the environment and weather. His goal was to become a meteorologist and specializing in satellites. Bobby always studied Aviation, even as a 7 year old he had a plane simulator, Bobby took classes on aviation and wanted to incorporate weather. Bobby said incorporating weather with aviation could improve aviation safety, his lifetime goal was to be a pilot.
A Desire to Give Back
During UCLA orientation, Bobby came home telling me he wanted to minor in Pre-Med, I asked why, and Bobby told me so he could help people with Substance Use Disorder, since at that time he was loving life and thriving. He was starting the school of his dreams and felt he was so appreciative that he wanted to give back.
Prior to entering UCLA, Bobby had been an advocate for Substance Use Disorder. He would talk to parents with me for a non-profit called Partnership to End Addiction ... Bobby would tell the parents what to expect when withdrawing and how to best take care of their children's needs.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
UCLA Life and Advocacy for Safety
Prior to entering UCLA, Bobby had been an advocate for Substance Use Disorder. He would talk to parents with me for a non-profit called Partnership to End Addiction. During Covid, when facilities were closed or hard to get into, Bobby and I would help parents and their children having to detox at home. Bobby would tell the parents what to expect when withdrawing and how to best take care of their children's needs. Bobby and I also made a video called "Prescription for Parents" educating parents on how to safeguard their children from the misuse of prescription drugs. Bobby always stressed Prevention. Bobby truly cared and always wanted to help.
Bobby has always tried to speak up for what he felt could help make it safer for others.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
Bobby loved college life at UCLA, he especially loved the food on campus. He would tell me at breakfast time, the staff would place the peanut butter next to the butter. Bobby told the cafeteria staff to please separate the peanut butter from the butter, he would be frustrated that he was asking each time, because Bobby was severely and dangerously allergic to peanut butter. In March 2024, Bobby came home so happy to tell me that the cafeteria staff listened to him and finally moved the Peanut Butter. Bobby has always tried to speak up for what he felt could help make it safer for others.
Bobby had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for his life, but I believe the stigma that accompanies Substance Use Disorder, made Bobby feel ashamed of what he could not control.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
Mette Lampcov for NPR/visual Coverage for NPR Science
Mette Lampcov for NPR/visual Coverage for NPR Science
Relapse and Tragic Loss
Unfortunately in February 2024, Bobby relapsed. Bobby tried to self-treat for anxiety, and very sadly he was poisoned with Fentanyl. Bobby had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for his life, but I believe the stigma that accompanies Substance Use Disorder, made Bobby feel ashamed of what he could not control. He was so excited he would finish Spring 2025, and we would have another Bruin graduate in the family.
Continuing Bobby's Legacy
Our lives have changed terribly, without our beloved Bobby. Bobby has an older brother Steven, who is devastated. Bobby had a girlfriend Diah, that on his final day, the morning of the 12th of April 2024, when I dropped him off to campus, Bobby told me he wanted to marry Diah after he graduated.
I feel my son Bobby is looking down on all of us from Heaven, wanting us to remember the great times, the fun times, the happy times, his laughter, our conversations. Bobby did not like sadness, and for that I will continue our advocacy in the name of Bobby, so no other family has to endure this extreme pain.
Bobby Schubert's life had purpose and meaning and I will forever keep his memory alive.
— Monica Vera-Schubert, speaking about her son, Bobby
UCLA's Narcan Distribution Project
The UCLA Narcan Distribution Project is committed to providing students and staff with free access to Narcan (the brand name for the generic medication naloxone), an easy-to-use, life-saving medication used to treat opioid overdoses. The need for a Narcan distribution project on college campuses is clear. By providing access to Narcan, we can save lives and prevent needless deaths from opioid overdoses.