In Memory of a Dear Friend and Colleague, Louis Salgado (1956–2025)

by Martin van der Roest

It is with great sadness that I share of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Louis Salgado. He unexpectedly passed on Friday, May 2, 2025.

 Louis and I had just spoken earlier that evening. It was our typical Friday “week in review” call … catching up on business activities, swapping stories, and sharing weekend plans. Louis was looking forward to the Orange County Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, May 4, which would have been his 21st consecutive time participating! He was excited to pick up his registration materials and then meet a longtime friend for dinner. We made plans for dinner the following evening, joking about “carbo loading” before the race as the perfect excuse to enjoy some good Italian food.

My friendship with Louis began 38 years ago, shortly after the vdR Group launched. We had just released our first product, R/Graph, and were looking for someone to help us sell it. That search led me to Louis. We met for lunch in January 1987, and I remember how easy he was to talk to … outgoing, personable, and genuine. He told me how he’d been working since he was 13, in the local Southern California orange groves. While it was hard work, he felt it helped shape his character. After graduating from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Louis spent ten years working at the Post Office while attending college part-time, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in business and computers. He joined vdR soon after graduating. His persistence and work ethic were evident from the beginning.

In those early days, way before the internet, Louis and I would often return home from work, spend time with our families, and then meet again at a local Denny’s to plan for the next day. Those late-night sessions were filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared drive to build something meaningful.

Over the years, Louis moved from sales to project management, and for the past 20 years, served as our Vice President of Operations. He was instrumental in organizing our teams, refining business processes, and fostering long-term relationships with customers. But beyond his professional contributions, it was Louis’ impact on people that truly stood out. At a recent conference where vdR was a sponsor, our booth became a kind of reunion center thanks to Louis. Former colleagues, partners, and friends stopped by … laughing, reminiscing, and soaking in his infectious energy.

Work was important to Louis, but he also championed lunchtime sports at vdR, organizing basketball, tennis, and volleyball games, and even recruiting visiting guests to join in. We all knew not to schedule meetings during the “sports hour”. If he wasn’t playing sports, he might slip out to explore local estate sales, adding to his impressive collection of garden art.

Last year, Louis told me he planned to retire this summer. He wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren, volunteer in the community, and tackle home projects. I joked that I didn’t think he’d step away entirely … he agreed, saying he’d probably scale back to just one day a week.

My relationship with Louis was one of a kind. As our COO, he sometimes made decisions I didn’t agree with, and we’d “debate” our options … sometimes with elevated voices. But no matter the issue, we always worked it out … our friendship came first. We could be at odds one moment and sitting together on the porch the next, enjoying an old fashioned – our favorite drink.

In many ways, Louis was a brother to me. I know I speak for many when I say … we will miss him deeply.