Santiago Rodriguez Hernandez

SFC Santiago R. Hernandez, USA Ret, age 84 passed away Monday, February 25, 2008 in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Cruz Hernandez; sons, Jimmy Richard Hernandez, David Anthony Hernandez and Mark Steven Hernandez; daughters, Gloria Ann Hernandez and Diane Jane Hernandez; half-sister, Alicia Schmoucher Bruce; half-brother, Rosendo Sanchez Elia.

First and foremost Santiago Jim was a devoted husband, beloved father, and a 1st generation man of this country. He was fond of saying that he was a "Jack of all trades and master of none;" however, most who knew him feel that he was a Master, a Master of life and survival. Born in the 1920's to migrant parents from Mexico, raised during the depression in a convent, and having served distinguished military tours in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam he managed to live a life beyond the ambition of many men of his generation.

In his early twenties, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where his first tour of duty took him to Cherbourg, France; through Paris, Belgium, and finally into Germany. He returned to the United States after the war and married Mary Cruz Flores in 1947 at the age of 23. 12 years and five children later, he rejoined the army where he was stationed in Chicago, Illinois; Stuttgart, Germany; Ft Hood, Texas; Heidelberg, Germany; Seoul, Korea; Long Binh, Vietnam; Ft. Hood, Texas again; and finally Ft Sam Houston, Texas where he retired from active duty. He then joined the Civil Service as a personnel specialist but he soon retired from there as well as from the Army Reserves. His military accolades include multiple Army commendation medals for his tours of duty as well as for his work in the Personnel Information Systems section of the Office of the Adjutant General. In addition to these commendations, he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Army for outstanding performance of duty in support of the State Funeral for Former President Harry S. Truman in December of 1972.

While stationed in Germany and on a sergeants wages, he would take the family traveling throughout Europe to include places such as Switzerland, Holland and the Netherlands; Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt Germany; Lyon, Paris, and Versailles France; Barcelona, Toledo and Madrid, Spain; and Pisa, Florence, and Rome, Italy. These were 30 day road trips staying in diverse places such as at a campground above the hills of Florence, and at a convent in Rome. The "Hotel de Paris" in Lyon was not a nice place, but the country villa 100 miles from there still evokes fond memories in the family. The family probably still has pieces of the Berlin Wall too but we'd have to dig for them.

After his last retirement, he supported his wife's antique business and the two of them began to travel again. They took trips to Lisbon, Portugal; Seville, Spain; the Rock of Gibraltar; and Casablanca, Morocco. They also traveled extensively up and down the eastern seaboard; visited relatives in San Francisco, sunned in the Bahamas, gambled in Las Vegas, attended several Luaus' in Hawaii, and visited their son in Perth, Australia where they met the Archbishop of Western Australia. On this last trip, they also made a sojourn to Sydney where they visited the Harbor Bridge, the Quay as well as the Sydney Opera House. After the globe trotting subsided, Jim starting collecting and repairing pocket watches in continued support of Mary's antique shop which continued to this day.

Throughout his life, Jim was a personable and amicable man. He never met a stranger; he just met new friends to share stories. He earned the courtesy and respect of others by offering it up first. He did not judge a person by their color, or their status in life; he just wanted to share stories. Even without a formal education, he was a naturally intelligent man capable of complex mathematics in his head, reading the collegiate text books of his children, and weaving tales of his life.

All of his life decisions were for the betterment of the family. For example, he was an ardent advocate of education and encouraged his children to become lifelong learners. His success at this is evidenced by the 5 Bachelor Degrees, 2 Masters Degrees and multiple professional certifications held by his 5 children. He also encouraged his children to always get together for birthdays and holidays and that tradition continues. Two live in San Antonio today, one in Austin, one in Perth, Australia, and the last in Phoenix, AZ. He instilled in his children a sense of adventure through his travels, a respect for family ties and a respect for the opinions of others. He also enabled them to live independent lives and to survive and thrive; he taught them how to fish.

The family is a charter member of St. Gregory's Parish; Monsignor Holden married Jim and Mary and baptized their children. Jim was not a religiously demonstrative man, but he had a profound personal relationship with God: "The Man Upstairs" with whom he now resides.

.