ROBERT APODACA Obituary

ROBERT (BOB) APODACA Bob passed away March 23, 2011, in Loma Linda, CA. He was born in Albuquerque, NM, on November 23, 1936. Bob served in the U.S. Navy, based in San Diego, CA, from 1955 until 1957 in active duty as an electrician, and was transferred to reserve duty until 1962. He went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad in Albuquerque, NM, in 1959, and retired from his railroad career with Amtrak in Los Angeles, CA, as a manager in 1996. He devoted many years in the community of Rialto, CA, coaching baseball and basketball in local leagues. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary; a son, Robb Apodaca Jr. (wife, Kathy) of Rialto, CA; daughter, Lisa Apodaca of Loma Linda, CA; grandson, Robert Lee Apodaca (wife, Stephanie) of Fontana, CA; granddaughter, Michelle Apodaca (boyfriend, Chris) of Redlands, CA; his sister, Cathy Howe of Sandia Park, NM; and brother, Jim Apodaca of Kirksville, MO. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Apodaca (wife, Sue), four nephews, and one niece. He will be remembered for his love of his cherished family and all his many friends. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Sat urday April 2, 2011, at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel, located in Redlands, CA 92373 at 703 Brookside Ave. Burial will be private at a later date at the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in His Memory.

Published by Whittier Daily News on Mar. 30, 2011.

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Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT APODACA

6 Entries

To the Apodaca family.. I am sorry for your loss. I remember Bob fondly. My thoughts are with the family. Pat Dawson

Pat Dawson

April 4, 2011

To the Apodaca family... I am so sorry for your loss. I remember seeing Bob around 2003 on the Amtrack riding the train home from work. I was surprised to see him because I have not seen him since growing up in the Rialto neighborhood.My thoughts are with the family.
Lucille Ortega Pescevic

Lucille Ortega-Pescevic

April 2, 2011

My heart goes out to the family. But then, we were family. Dad and Bob were like brothers. I remember Bob coming to Dad's retirement party and telling all the old stories from the days they worked at Santa Fe together. Bob was like an uncle to me. He will truly be missed. Love to the family.

Charlene Boyce (Hershel & Betty's daughter "Charlie")

Charlene Ray

April 1, 2011

Dear Robb and Family,
I had the pleasure of playing Little League baseball with you in Rialto (Yankees) as a youth. My mother, Wilma, told me of your father's passing. I am very sorry to hear the news. I remember Bob and the Apodaca family as being choice individuals. I will be keeping you all in my prayers and may the Lord bless you all at this very difficult time. Know that our Father in Heaven loves you all and needed Bob with Him on the other side at this time.

Greg Stainbrook

March 31, 2011

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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