Roberto Onate

May 30, 1935 - December 4, 2011

Roberto Onate of Seaside, California passed away on December 4, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born in Marfa, Texas and grew up in Van Horn, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Eulalia Onate, and his son; Robert D.Onate.

Robert graduated from Van Horn High School in 1955 and was a talented all-around athlete. He excelled in track, baseball and basketball and was All-District in football. After graduation he joined the United States Air force and served proudly for 23 years as a meteorologist. He was stationed in Korea, German California and Nebraska. He often spoke of how proud he was to brief the pilots of the then top secret SR-71 aircrafts. He was last stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska where he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1976. After he retired from the military, Robert made his home in Seaside California where he worked for Global Weather Dynamics for many years. Robert loved playing softball for Dark Room Lab and Mortimer's. He was the winning pitcher for the 1986 California State Championship held in Santa Cruz, California. His other love was basketball where he could often be found playing at the Naval Post Graduate School. He was know to have a great hook shot. In 1990, Robert had a seven valve heart by-pass preformed, a rare occurrence. These health issues forced him to reluctantly retire from sports. In spite of his health issues, Robert continued working full-time. After leaving Global Weather, Robert worked several jobs including one at the Fort Ord Commissary. In 1993, Robert accepted a job in Sacramento, California as a meteorologist for the California Air Resource Board. He maintained dual residences and traveled back and forth to Seaside to visit his family often. in 1997, Robert underwent a heart transplant. This generous donation kept him alive for nearly and additional 15 years. Robert embraced full-time retirement in 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Brenda H. Onate: his son, Adrian P. Onate of Seaside, California: his brother, Federico H. Campos of Van Horn, Texas; children from his first wife of twenty years, Crispina G. Luckey, include Corinne Onate-Dennison (James) of Stanley, New Mexico; Velina A. Onate-Nelson (Dennis) of Marina, California; David J. Onate (Rocio) of Van Horn, Texas; Eliza R. Onate (Jesse Irwin) of Eureka, California and daughter-in-law Bonnie Onate of Alamogordo, New Mexico. He leaves numerous grandchildren: Rita Cardona, Isaiah Kennedy, Roberto Cardona, kellie McConville, Brandon Onate, Deanna Dennison, Rebakah Onate, Cynthia Dennison, Rachel Nelson, Caitlin Nelson, Damien Dennison, Antonio Dennison, Allison onate, Sierra Irwin and Jessah Onate. he also leaves a niece, Norma Jean Clement and several great-grandchildren, step-children, step-grandchildren & step great grandchildren. Robert Onate will be remembered as a person who loved the Cowboys and the Yankees, loved his family, and had a great sense of humor. And last of all he loved to travel back and forth to Van Horn, you never knew when he would just show up at your door!

Services were held in Van Horn, Texas, December 13, 2011.

Arrangements under the direction of Bayside Community Mortuary, Seaside, CA.