The eldest of four children, Robert was raised in East Austin and Central Texas before his family moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1953. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1962, stationed at Clovis Airbase, New Mexico and Chitose Airbase, Japan.
After returning home from the military, Robert married Armandina Marie Castro on March 6, 1959. They began their life together in Port Arthur, where Robert graduated from Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.
He and Dina moved their growing family to Austin in 1963, where Robert began his career teaching at Allan Jr. High. He received a Master’s of Education in 1974 from the University of Texas at Austin. Robert taught special education students at Austin Lanier High School from 1974-1990. A lifelong competitive runner, he served as Lanier’s long distance boys’ track coach. After retiring from AISD, Robert served as an educator for Wackenhut Correctional Center in Kyle.
The family were charter members of St. Louis King of France Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife and their children, Elizabeth Garcia, of Pflugerville; Gavin Garcia and wife Donya, of Austin; Kenneth Garcia and wife Penny, of Round Rock; and Brian Garcia and wife Friendgela, of Hutto. He is also survived by sisters, Dora Ready and husband Byron, of Vidor; Marie Calamia, of Groves; and sister-in-law, Rosalie Sassine, of Port Arthur. He is survived by one brother, Guadalupe Garcia, of McKinney.
In addition to being survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, Robert’s grandchildren include: Allison Garcia, Jordan Garcia, Madeline Garcia, of Round Rock; Anthony Garcia and Victoria Garcia, of Austin; Michael Alvarez, of Pflugerville; Katie Corby and husband Conrad, of Waco; and Kelly Sweet and husband Brandon, of Austin. Great-grandchildren are Emma Corby and soon-to-be-born Caroline Corby, of Waco.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Rd.,
Austin, followed by interment at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to a favorite charity.
Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you may leave condolences and share memories with Robert’s family.
