Luigi Gustavo "Lou" Pierotti was orphaned at age six. Raised by family friends and his older siblings, he joined the army in 1942. He had married the love of his life and wife of fifty-five years, Lee Ruffini, and was living in Denver while stationed at Lowry Field when he made the service softball team.

A meat cutter and slaughterer by trade, Lou and his family came to White Rock in 1952. In 1953, Lou convinced pitcher Bun Ryan and several other players to paint their faces, put on baggy pants and floppy hats and take to the field as "Pierotti’s Clowns", the nation's only amateur five-man softball team. For the next twenty-five years, the Clowns entertained their loyal fans, raising more than $200,000 for charitable causes.

A gifted athlete, Lou has competed nationally or internationally in track, softball, bowling, and golf.

Additional biographical material can be found in the Los Alamos Monitor of September 19, 1999.

Written by Karen Nilsson Brandt, copyright ©