Alberto Tejera

December 27, 1926 - January 9, 2025

Alberto Tejera, surrounded by loved ones, peacefully passed on January 9, 2025.

Alberto is preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Mercedes Tejera, his brothers, Miguel and Juan Tejera, as well as his adoring wife, Norma “Mima” Tejera.

Alberto is survived by his children, Alina (Stamatios) Karoutsos, Lilliam Nedjar, and Alberto (Kathleen) Tejera, as well as his grandchildren, Omar Nedjar, Kristina (Adam Kalinowski) Karoutsos, Sofia Karoutsos, Michal (Bianca) Nedjar, Aliki (Nick) Leland, Albert (Tori) Tejera, Frankie (Maura) Tejera, and Kylie (Maddie) Tejera.

Born in Cuba in 1926, Alberto later earned his degree in Civil and Agricultural Engineering. He began his career in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro came to power and declared Cuba a Communist country. Alberto, a devout believer of democracy, was incarcerated for acts against the government. By the grace of God, Alberto was erroneously released from prison and made a daring escape through the Uruguayan Embassy. Once safe and with the help of his brothers, Alberto was able to secure his family’s exit from Cuba. In 1962 the family settled first in Dominican Republic and later in 1963 in Nicaragua, where Alberto began his career as a Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank. Through his work, he was transferred to the IDB Headquarters in Washington, DC in 1968, where he continued his career until retirement.

Alberto was the kind of person you’d aspire to be. He was selfless, volunteering his time at The Children’s Inn at NIH and at Germantown Elementary. He was kind, driving the neighbor kids to school after his children and grandchildren were grown. He was funny, always sharing a “Dad” joke or flashing a ridiculous face to get a laugh. And above all else, he was a family man. His family was his whole world.

It would be hard to discuss Alberto without discussing the love of his life, Mima. The couple met in 1950 and later wed in 1952. The two were inseparable for the entirety of their 74 years together, which is evident in the fact that they passed ten days apart. It gives the family great peace to know that they are together for eternity.

Alberto held his three children most dear, fostering a special and unique relationship with each. Known to his eight grandchildren as “Abuelo,” he had the uncanny ability of making every grandchild feel like they were his favorite.

A private Mass of Christian Burial and Interment will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Alberto's name to the Children Inn at NIH

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”