Robert Rodriguez
Robert passed on to heaven peacefully Sunday morning, October 14, 2018, at the age of 94. In his last days he was surrounded by loved ones in Santa Barbara, in the comfort of his room at Abundant Care, a very supportive and loving environment, where he had lived for two years.
Dad was foremost a family man. After a successful career in the aerospace industry, he left Haveg Reinhold Engineering in Santa Fe Springs, California, when he was 60 years old. He enjoyed a long retirement with his wife Edith, who preceded him death five years ago. Robert and Edith moved to Carlsbad from Anaheim early in their retirement, where they loved caring for their yard, including beautiful orchids and fuchsias, and a vegetable garden every spring.
Dad loved playing golf well into his 70s, and always looked forward to Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with extended family at their home.
Robert lived a long and healthy life. He moved to Santa Barbara for the last four years to be near his daughter Kathleen, who was honored to care for this beloved patriarch in the last phase of his life. She was with him through his last breath and treasures that memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and three brothers, his wife Edith and daughter Roberta. Family members who will miss his loving presence include sisters Yolanda Chavez and Rosemary Stanley; daughter Kathleen Rodriguez (husband John Zant); granddaughters Della (Chris) Ducharme, Rachel Michaelson (Josh Kaminski), and Lisa Allen; grandson Sam Allen; six greatgrandchildren
(Jake, Shaun, Jason, Ella, Canon, and Edie); three sisters in law, Yolanda Ornelas, Juanita Rodriguez and Nita Rodriguez; 24 nieces and nephews, and their families.
He leaves a legacy of being a caring, responsible and loyal grandson, son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and great grandfather. The one word he used the most was this: “Familia.” That was the most important thing to dad.
A private family funeral mass and internment will be held in San Diego on October 26. Any contribution in his memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.