Louis W. Drobnick III 1948-2026

By The Malibu Times · Thu Jun 18 2026

The Malibu Community mourns the passing of Louis W. Drobnick III, who passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026.  Lou was known for his generous spirit, abounding heart and selfless hospitality.

Lou was a dedicated leader and beloved community member, who provided four decades of service to Pepperdine University, retiring in 2022 as the Senior Vice Chancellor of Advancement. He was a board member for the Salvation Army, Divisional President for the U.S. Professional Tennis Association, President of the Optimist Club of Malibu and board chair for the Malibu Chamber of Commerce.

Lou was deeply committed to the Malibu community and was a creative problem solver.   Recognized with a Dolphin Award in 1995 by the Malibu Times. In one of his most noteworthy contributions following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, Lou led a contingency of small business owners to Sacramento, where he successfully secured and accelerated a thirty-day repair of the bridge at the Adamson House… thereby restoring access to Pacific Coast Highway and vital services for Malibu residents. He was also instrumental in the establishment of our Malibu High School, which opened in 1992.

He is survived by his wife Kathie, daughter Molly Lynn and Eric Lynn, sons and daughters-in-law, Jeremy and Lydia Sarrow, Dan Sarrow and Moira Gilbert and six precious grandchildren. 

His legacy of service, optimism and leadership leaves an indelible mark on the Malibu Community.