Roberto Matheus Herrera

Retired Colonel Roberto Matheus Herrera was born in Binondo, Manila on June 18, 1926. He was the eldest son of Luis Bautista Herrera and Rosario Matheus.

Bert fought alongside the Americans in World War II. He was recruited into the Hunters ROTC Guerilla Unit, and later attached to the US Army 11th Airborne Division. He was engaged in intelligence work, mapping out Japanese military objectives and reporting on troop movements. He also took pictures of navy yards and aerial bases in three provinces.

When universities reopened in 1946, he entered the University of the Philippines, and later transferred to the Feati Institute of Technology, where he received his Associate degree in Airline Operation, and later his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

He enrolled in the Advanced Air ROTC. The following year, he was called to active duty in the Air Force. His stellar military career spanned over twenty eight years, capped by his appointment to Chief of Staff of the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) and at the same time Head of the Materiel Office.

He was one of twenty-five charter members of the Jose Abad Santos Chapter of the International Order of DeMolay. A Past Worshipful Master of the Cavite Lodge #2 in 1975, received the Legion of Honor of the Order of the DeMolay, the DeMolay Cross of Honor and the Most Outstanding Mason 1984.

He rejoined his family in the US in 1997. While living in Sonoma County, he worked at a Elridge Developmental Center as a volunteer teacher for disabled children and wrote the Disaster Preparedness for Sonoma County and Cavite City when he was an Advisor to the Mayor Tim Encarnacion. In 1999, he moved to Las Vegas where he worked briefly as a TSA staff for the McCarran International Airport and then worked for 10 years as a substitute teacher for the Clark County School District until his retirement years, until his death on July 2, 2014 at age 88.

He was preceded in death by his sister Corazon, and sons Roberto Jr. and Ralph. He is survived by Angelita, his wife of 63 years; children Eric, Emil, Rebecca, Camille, Mark and Carina; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Disabled American Veterans. Click here to donate via DAV’s website

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Cremation and interment will follow on a later date.