Robert Maldonado Correa

To Robert Maldonado Correa, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Robert, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Robert really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

His parents were Jesse and Trini Correa. Robert was raised in Kerman, California. Even as a child, Robert had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Robert was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Robert managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Robert was raised with 4 brothers and 5 sisters. He had seven older siblings Ben, Alex, John, Manuel, Mary, Connie, Linda, and two younger sisters Juanita and Elizabeth.

All of Robert's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Robert experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. In his spare time he liked to run around and follow his brothers and sisters.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Robert was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Robert simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Robert, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Robert's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Robert graduated from Kerman High School in 1968. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. He was his basketball team's highest scorer in rebounds and was offered a scholarship to Montana State.

Robert reveled in his college years, where his imagination could run free. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Robert was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. But for Robert, life was not a case of all play and no work. Robert relished the task of putting his imagination to work in class. He was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. He attended some college where he studied law.

Robert never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Robert to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Robert delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Robert was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Robert utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. Robert made friends everywhere he went. He did not know a stranger. Robert loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Robert very easy to approach. On November 14, 1972 Robert exchanged wedding vows with Angie Renteria at Madera City Hall in Madera, California. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Robert related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Robert was blessed with two daughters, Renee and Tiffany. They were also blessed with two, grandsons, Rennon and Aaron, and four granddaughters Alexis, Klaryssa, Reese and Ryen. He also has three great grandchildren Abriel, Avan and Adalyn. Robert had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Robert's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Robert had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Robert was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Robert liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Robert was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Robert's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Robert as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was a commercial landscaper and truck driver.

Robert enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Robert liked creating and making things. His favorite hobbies were golf, baseball, basketball, fishing, playing cards and casinos. Robert was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Robert felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Robert loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Robert relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Robert never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Robert played basketball and football. Recreational sports included basketball, softball and golf. Robert was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, baseball, golf, basketball and tennis.

Robert had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Robert's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. Throughout his later years, Robert was an active member of the MAGA.

Living life in the fast lane suited Robert just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Hawaii and Pismo.

Robert was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Robert's favorites was Pookie and Chihuahua. They were best friends for 16 years and still kickin'. His family was rounded out by Charlie and Peaches.

Robert believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 2007, Robert took it in stride as one more way to have fun. His new life involved relocating to Fresno. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Robert remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in sports, grandkids and shows. Even in retirement, Robert continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Robert passed away on April 9, 2016 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fresno, California. He is survived by his wife Angie; daughters Renee and Tiffany; son-in-law Michael Martinez; grandchildren Alexis, Rennon, Klaryssa, Reese, Ryen and Aaron, great grandchildren Avan and Adalyn; brothers Ben, Alex and John, sisters Mary, Connie, Juanita and Elizabeth. Services were held at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Robert was laid to rest in Fresno Memorial Gardens.

Robert brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Robert Maldonado Correa lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.