Rodrigo Magallanes Jr.

Rodrigo Magallanes Jr. "Roddy", 53, of Santa Clara, died Sep 7 after a 4-year battle with cancer. Roddy was born to the late Martha Valadez and Rodrigo Magallanes Sr. Jan 2, 1959 in El Paso, TX. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (1977), received a BS in Physics from Colorado College (1981) and a Masters in EE from Stanford (1982)--Phi Beta Kappa/Magna Cum Laude. In 1982, Roddy married high school sweetheart Rowena Reyes, and they raised their children, Jessica (22) and Kendrick (17) in Santa Clara. Roddy worked full-time as an electrical engineer up until the week before he died, lastly at SeaMicro-AMD. An entertainment devotee, Roddy loved concerts and blockbuster films. He shared his talent and passion for music and drumming by tutoring and performing, recently with jazz band, "Octobop". Roddy's family meant everything to him. He took deep pride in his children's accomplishments, devoting himself to volunteering, photographing, and videotaping their many activities. Roddy's brilliance, integrity, energy, warm smile, loving spirit, sense of humor and joy in life will be missed by all. He was our hero, the man who always did the right thing, our guide for how to live life to the fullest and how to die with uncommon grace. Roddy is also survived by siblings: Martha, Saul, Becky (Carlos), Sarah, David, Danny (Myra); siblings in law: Rena (Jim), Alfred Jr., and Mother-in-law, Lucy. He was Uncle Roddy to 25 nieces and nephews. A celebration in his honor will be held October 14th. Donations may be made to American Cancer Society.