Robert Esquivel

Robert graduated in 1974 from McCollum High School in San Antonio, Texas where he played the alto saxophone in the symphonic and marching band. After graduation and in his early adulthood, Robert served in the Marine Corps from June 1974 – June 1978 as a transmission systems operator. He later joined the Air Force Reserves in 1988 - 2003 as an Air Force Medic and traveled throughout the world. Robert retired from the military as a Vietnam and Desert Storm Veteran. Aside from his military service, he worked full-time as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Riverside General Hospital while attending college studying to become a nurse. Robert decided to change the course of his career and joined the California Correctional Peace Officers Association as a Correctional Peace Officer in 1989 at CRC and retired in 2017 from Patton State Hospital. During his time as a correctional officer, he proudly served as the CCPOA Chapter President where he fought for change for his fellow officers and for the prison system as a whole.

Outside of work, Robert delighted in life's simple pleasures. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan. He enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas to gamble and renovating his home. He loved working out, swimming, and spending time with his family. He was known for his pranks, exaggerated stories, humor, charm, trash talking, generosity, strong will, making tamales, and his "chocolate to die for" bundt cake. He gave freely, making sure others were taken care of.

He was a baptized member of The Rock World Outreach Church in San Bernardino and paid his tithes faithfully. A man of deep faith, Robert trusted wholeheartedly that God would always be there for him. Time and time again, he defied the odds by surviving a deadly rattlesnake bite at the age of 12; he was a cancer survivor and heart attack survivor. He inspired all who witnessed his strength, resilience, and courage.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Trinidad and Dora Andrade and sister, Rosanna Esquivel. He is survived by his loving daughters, Melanie Nava (Jack), and Brittany Rios (Guillermo); sons Christian Esquivel (Janua) and Matthew Cardero. He was the cherished grandfather to Harper and Luca Nava, Benjamin Esquivel and Scarlett Salazar. Robert was a loving brother to Alma Garza (Oliver - Deceased), Nora Kindred (Nate), Adam Andrade (Connie), Corina Andrade - Stagger (Louis) and Marcy Krasiewski (Brian). He was a devoted uncle to Trina Kindred- Chung (Andrew) and Jonathan Kindred (Sonia) and great nephews Levi and Kyree and great niece Selah.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

The family gives a special thanks to all his friends from near and far.