Robert Sendejo Rodriguez, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep, on August 14th, 2025 of natural causes.  He was 86 years old.

Bob was blessed with a beautiful family, both biological and through marriage, including 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. Bob is survived by his sister, Mary Genevieve Crothers; his children Marisa Rodriguez, Lydia Castillo, and Robby Rodriguez; his beloved grandchildren Sean Lopez and his wife Maria, Alyssa Martinez, Erika Martinez, Andrea Martinez and her partner Emigdio Valdez, Izabela Lopez, and Armand Lopez; and great-grandchildren Joseph Lopez, Joanna Martinez Francis, with Evangelina Martinez Valdez joyfully expected in January 2026. He is also survived by his son-in-law Joe Castillo; grandchildren Fabian Castillo and his wife Mariaana, and Steven Castillo; and great-grandchildren Christian Castillo and Sebastian Castillo. Bob's love extended beyond his immediate family to countless relatives and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

The oldest of two children, Bob was born in San Antonio, Texas to Juanita and John Rodriguez on March 22nd, 1939.  His mother Janie was a Tejana, whose family was from South Texas, long before that region became a part of the United States. His dad immigrated from Leon, Guanajuato, a refugee of the Mexican-American war at the age of 4. The family moved to Los Angeles, California, in the 1940's, where his father had secured a better job and a hope for greater opportunity.  The family eventually purchased a home along Imperial Highway in south LA, before settling in Downey, California.

As a child, when Bob wasn't studying or helping around the house, he enjoyed exploring downtown LA by riding the streetcar, visiting the library, and catching a matinee at the many movie theaters that existed at the time.  Growing up, the family lived in various neighborhoods in the core of Los Angeles, exposing Bob to diverse communities and friendships with people from different walks of life.  He learned so much history and gained valuable perspective listening to the stories of his classmates, sharing his own family story, and drawing connections between the two.

Bob graduated from Washington High School in 1957.  While at Washington he lettered in cross country, was a two-time recipient of the American Legion Award, and was voted "Best Boy" by his high school classmates.  Although he was capable of pursuing higher education, he chose to support his family via a vocational path and more specifically, electrical shop.  A month before graduating high school, he applied for and was offered a position at a newish tech firm, known at the time as International Business Machines, which we now know as IBM.  By working at IBM, he was able to support his sister Genevieve to attend UCLA, while continuing to support his parents into their retirement.  For 37 years Bob worked as a Customer Engineer, repairing IBM machines throughout downtown LA and across southern California.  In 1982 he was inducted into IBM's Quarter Century Club and received special recognition for 25 years of service. He retired from IBM in 1995.

Ahead of the Vietnam War, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy.  While on active duty, he was stationed at Moffett Field near San Jose, California and was assigned to a Naval Air Squadron servicing, among others, C130 supply planes taking off to and landing from various bases across the Pacific Ocean.  His precise penmanship earned him a job of recording the flight logs at the air base which he preferred over peeling potatoes.  He was honorably discharged.

Guided by his faith, Bob joined the Young Christian Movement in the mid 1960's, advocating for social justice principles in general and in support of the United Farm Workers specifically.  He attended a rally where César Chávez spoke and was inspired to participate in the grape boycott in support of better wages and working conditions for farm workers in California and across the globe.  Through YCM Bob also met Mary, whom he married and together they made a family.

Bob and Mary purchased a home in Pico Rivera and raised their family there.  Together, they continued their shared devotion to Catholic principles, through various ministries in the Los Nietos and St. Marianne's parishes.  He volunteered countless hours at St. Marianne and sent all three of his children to school there.  He attended mass weekly and his faith centered his way through life.  As a parent, Bob was a leader and advocate for early childhood education, participating in the Dad's Club and the Parent Advisory Council at Maizeland Elementary, and ultimately securing a home for pre-school programs serving the El Rancho Unified School District.

Bob loved to dance and he gave his girls the opportunity and exposure to take classes in ballet, tap, baile folklorico, and Hawaiian dancing.  As an athlete himself, he loved watching sports and was a fan of the LA Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers. He was also a fan of boxing and the Olympics. He volunteered his time in support of youth sports and extracurricular activities for his children and other young people in organizations like the Rivera Baseball Association, the Pioneer Little League, the St. Paul Boosters, El Rancho High School Theater Program, and the Blue Birds. His work to secure funding and programs serving children and young people of Pico Rivera was recognized by his peers and memorialized by the Youth Advisory Council.

Shortly after his retirement he and his mother moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1996.  As a resident of Tucson for the last 30 years, Bob became a member of the community, as a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church and a resident of the Park West Senior Community, where he was a board member, committee chair, volunteer, and of course, dear friend and neighbor.  An avid reader and lifelong learner, he joined book clubs and took Spanish classes, consumed documentaries and was civically engaged, voting in every election since he was 18 years old.  He was also a member, friend and confidant of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was proud to have achieved 25 years of sobriety.  Bob loved music.  He watched operas on PBS, and occasionally in person and would mimic the motions of conductors to songs like the William Tell Overture or the Ride of the Valkyrie.  He was a fan of Rhythm & Blues singers like Big Mama Thornton and early Rock n' Roll artists like Laverne Baker, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and of course, his favorite, Fats Domino.  With roots from South Texas he grew up listening to polkas and corridos played by Conjunto and Norteño musicians like Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jimenez, the Texas Tornadoes, and loved songs from the Mexican Revolutionary period like the March of Zacatecas and Adelita.  His love of music kept up with the times following artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Blondie, and Chicago.

Bob lived a full and beautiful life.  He was a dutiful son, a loyal brother, a loving father and grandfather, and a caring friend and neighbor.  People described him as smart, sweet, gentle, kind, and funny.  To those who knew him well, he was precious.

Viewing will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Most Holy Trinity Church, 1300 N. Greasewood Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by a Rosary at 10:00 am, and Mass at 10:30 am.  The burial service will be held at 12:00 pm at Evergreen Mortuary located at 3015 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ.