Robert Rodriguez

A native New Yorker, Bob was born on January 3, 1935. He was the fourth child of Pedro and Montserrate Rodriguez who moved from Puerto Rico in the early 1900’s to find a better life. They had four children, two girls and two boys. Bob was the baby. He lived and worked in New York for 34 years after attending public schools in Manhattan. He graduated in 1951 from the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School for exceptional students where he majored in industrial design, strengthening his creative skills. In 1958 Bob joined the US Army Reserves. His unit was called to active duty but was not selected to deploy overseas during the 1961 Berlin Crisis. He spent his remaining military duty in Fort Lee, Virginia and was discharged in 1964. He eventually found his calling in newspapers working for Scripps Howard and the Wall Street Journal. He left his beloved city in 1969 when The Washington Post recruited him from the Journal. He signed on as a writer in the Promotion Department happily doing anything he could to help insure Mrs. Graham’s and Don’s vision for The Post. He worked for The Washington Post for 28 years and retired in 1997.

Bob was a great Father to his two sons and two stepsons. He was unfailingly proud of their accomplishments. A Chief Fire Marshal in Virginia, a Commercial Insurance Compliance Director for a national banking institution in Maryland, an Architect in North Carolina and a computer guru, more recently a novice thoroughbred trainer in Virginia. This group of four, well, three if you don't count two race horses (Jim’s Joy and Miss Fashion) produced five grandchildren, one great grandson and another on his way.

His athletic ability was exceptional. As a high school student, he played soccer and baseball at Brooklyn Tech. Described in the 1951 yearbook as the “amazing scoring ace,” Bob contributed to Tech’s first-ever win of the New York City Champs Soccer Tournament in 1951. Later he played Triple A baseball for MLB farm teams and tried out for the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately, perhaps for the Philie's, they decided Bob might not be strong enough to withstand the rigors of major league baseball. He went on to play shortstop on teams in the Puerto Rican and Negro leagues earning the name, El Pulpo (Spanish translation—The Octopus), a sly tribute to his superb fielding. More than once, he made the winning play in the Americans vs. Brits regularly-scheduled, daily-after-lunch volleyball game at the heritage Malabar resort in St. Lucia where he vacationed for over 40 years. He will also be remembered for his Steph Curry-like performance aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship during a crew vs. passengers basketball game. The winning team was awarded a trophy. It was presented to the MVP. The trophy still sits in a place of honor on Bob’ armoire.

Bob loved life and often commented on what an incredible one he lived, always grateful. He was the pulse of his family and will be missed more than words can say. He died on February 24, 2025.

Survivors include his wife Ginny (Dunham-McSweeney) of 50 years; Sons: Robert Bruce Rodriguez (Bruce & Judith) & James Drew Rodriguez (Drew & Karen), Michael Kieran McSweeney (Mike & Patty), and James Gerard McSweeney (Jim); Grandchildren: Laurel, Paul, Samantha & Renee Rodriguez, and Alex McSweeney; Great Grandson: Theodore Thomas (Teddy) McSweeney; Brother: Peter-Deceased-January 12, 2025); Sister: Mildred Paciullo; Nieces: Lisa Paciullo & Suzanne McNeely, Carol Ann Butland ; Nephew: Joseph Paciullo, and Mark Butland.