On January 11, 2019, the Patawaran family lost an incredible grandfather, courageous father, and devoted husband. After 91 years, it seems impossible to summarize the sheer magnitude of lives that Rizalino Patawaran touched during his long life. He is survived by a loving wife (Carmelita), four children (Rogel, Ernan, Aimee and Alan), and five grandchildren (Lauren, David, Tim, Rachel, and Elizabeth).
Rizalino was born on April 26, 1928 in Tondo, Manila. There, he grew up in the rich filipino culture surrounded by four brothers and one sister. From an early age Rizalino loved to work with his hands. Though he started by repairing radio parts, Rizalino ultimately graduated from National University of the Philippines with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Soon after graduation, while working for California Manufacturing Company, he met a spirited young woman named Carmelita Calderon. She instantly stole his heart and just over a year later, they were married.
As they embarked on what would ultimately become a 58 year-long marriage, Rizalino dreamed of greater opportunity in the United States. He was often fond of saying, “If there is a will, there is a way.” Embracing that sentiment and with immense courage, Rizalino left everything he had known in the first 41 years of his life, and began from scratch in another country for the sake of his children’s future. Rizalino started working at Hi-Pro Foods, Incorporated in Los Angeles, California and quickly established a home for his family. Shortly after that, his wife Carmelita followed him to the United States, and brought along their three young children. Just a year later, they welcomed their youngest son in Long Beach, California.
In 1974, Rizalino and Carmelita proudly became citizens of the United States and they aspired to move inland towards the green rolling hills of the Midwest. Just six years later, the Patawaran clan left behind the sweet fruit trees of California and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska following a new opportunity at Martha Gooch Foods. It was there that Carmelita and Rizalino proudly watched their children become young adults.
At 66, Rizalino welcomed his first grandchild. From that point forward, Rizalino became “Lolo” and he embarked on a new adventure- retirement! Carmelita and Rizalino moved to Loveland, Colorado and established a home fit for grandchildren. Equipped with a garden, ducks, chickens and Audrey the cat, Rizalino and Carmelita savored every visit from what eventually grew to six grandchildren.
In 2008, Rizalino’s grandson, Galen, passed away at the age of nine. Though he was saddened by the loss, Rizalino always found comfort in knowing that Galen would be there to greet him in heaven.
In his final chapter, Rizalino continued to smile and laugh with his beloved wife. He never stopped using his favorite labeling machine to label literally everything around him, and truly enjoyed every moment to its fullest.
Though he will be greatly missed, Rizalino’s family smiles on today knowing that he gladly entered the gates of heaven carrying the legacy and pride of nearly a century of memories.
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