Roberto Mata Vasquez

Roberto Mata Vasquez was born the 7th of 8 children to Pedro and Jesusa Vasquez in San Antonio, Texas on August 27, 1941. He was the youngest son of 6 boys, with two sisters. While his family was that of a seasonal, migrant, harvester group, his brothers did the majority of the work while he romped around, enjoying the admiration of his father.

Robert attended Harlandale High School until he began his service to his country in 1958 when he joined the still new United States Air Force, freshly changed from the United States Army Air Corps. Robert was stationed at Keesler AFB in Mississippi when his father became ill. He was able to apply for a hardship assignment and return home to San Antonio. While stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, he met Rosalina Rodriguez. Rosie was one of two civilian secretaries in the HQ office. It took some doing but they finally started dating. By 11 months, they were married in 1962.

Robert finished his tour and joined the SAPD in 1964 where he served as a San Antonio Police Officer until 1967 when he joined the United States Border Patrol to be stationed in Laredo TX. He returned to S.A. whereby the Grace of God, he was one of two to be promoted to Special Agent, serving as a Criminal Investigator for the Immigration Naturalization Service which was later to become ICE. Robert and Rosie had three children Rozlyn, Robert and Royce. He served faithfully for almost thirty years before retiring from the Immigration Service.

Robert would do 3-month stints in Brunswick, Georgia at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center also known as FLETC, teaching Spanish. After retiring the first time, he was rehired for a year … to be extended 7 years to become a civilian instructor at the FLETC. There he helped mold the minds of young special agents before retiring a second time but resumed teaching, … only this time, teaching Spanish to the students and assumed the role of assistant coach of the boys at Brunswick Christian Academy. Robert taught there and watched three of his grandsons graduated from there.

Roberto Vasquez is succeeded in life by my loving mother, Rosalina Vasquez, their daughter Rozlyn Gomez, her husband, John Gomez, their three children, Christopher John, Anthony Robert, Michael Joe; their son, Royce, his wife, Stephanie, son Royce Emory Jr and Raquel Evelyn Vasquez. Robert has 4 great grandchildren, Daniel, Camila and Remington. Their eldest son Robert Ethan preceded him in April of 1999.

When my father was asked how he would like to be remembered, he said as a friendly, responsible person; A good husband, good father, good grandfather who had many friends. He also wanted his family to know that the Lord blessed him through them, for them! He also hoped that we would continue to stay as close as we were when he was still here. Robert was a member of the men's group at Christian Renewal Church in St Simon's Island Georgia and in charge of the Sunday morning coffee as well as the annual ladies Mother's Day Celebration. He is specially remembered for his specialty breakfast tacos and sandwiches. He was also a member of the American Legion.

MEMORIAL SERVICEWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 20244:00 P.M.RESTORATION CHURCH5800 N. LOOP 1604 E., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS