Bob was born in St. Louis Missouri on the 8th of February 1935 to Frank Ortiz and Louise Lackey Bautista. The family moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Bob attended St. Theresa Grade School and Hogan High School excelling in math and science as well as in many areas of sports.
Having a heart set on serving God and the church and with faith as an anchor in his life, Bob entered Holy Cross Seminary at the University of Notre Dame after high school and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. His priestly life touched the lives of many as he ministered to college students, taught theology at the University Notre Dame, and established programs for young married couples. After eight years of priestly ministry, a call for discernment led him to a sabbatical period during which he received papal dispensation from his priestly duties.
Bob’s call to help others never wavered: he worked 25 years at Gulf Bend Center as a Social Worker and later as the Director of Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services. After retiring from Gulf Bend he became business manager for their family business, Graphix Unlimited.
In the summer of 1971, Bob met Laurie who became his dearest friend and the love of his life. They were married in 1973 and made their home in Victoria, TX where they raised their three children, Sharon, Susan and Bob. Life was filled with yearly road trips; weekend fishing excursions; backyard basketball games; grade school and high school sport and academic events; and a country life where Bob would tractor a path clearing the way for dewberry picking, many times with one of the kids sitting on his knee.
Bob served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister in his parish, while caring for hospital patients and nursing home residents. For over twenty years he and Laurie were immersed in the faith formation of youth and led the RCIA process for adults at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Bob is survived by Laurie Dufilho Bautista, his loving wife of fifty-two years; his children: Sharon Rusin and husband, John of Denver; Susan Gentile and husband Riccardo of Houston; and Bob Jr and wife Amy Kosmos Bautista of Seattle; and grandchildren Andrew, Natalie and Juliette Rusin, Nicolas, Ryan and Sarah Gentile, and Emma and Mary Bautista; and of course, Daisy his happy tail-wagging, squirrel chasing Snoodle.
Bob also leaves behind his brothers-in-law Stephen Dufilho and wife Adele of San Antonio, Dennis Dufilho and Maurice Dufilho of Houston, as well as his loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Preceding him in death are his father and mother, Frank and Louise Bautista, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Maurice and Frances Dufilho, his brother-in-law, Gil Dufilho, his sister-in-law Mary Barry Dufilho and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Bob’s entire family offers a special and heartfelt “thank you” to Dr. Ty Meyer and the entire nursing staff at Hospice of South Texas. Their loving and compassionate care for Bob and our family as Bob passed from this life to the promised life of eternal joy will never be forgotten. The family also thanks the incredible staff at Citizens Home Health, and his special care-giver Jessica.
Bob completed his mission on earth and made his sacred journey into the loving arms his Creator leaving a legacy. His quiet but consistent values and accomplishments, the deepness of his faith, his gentleness and kindness towards others marked a path for many especially for his family who loved him deeply.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from nine o’clock on Tuesday the 26th of August at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the recitation of the Rosary will commence at nine-thirty, and the Mass of Christian Burial to be offered at ten o’clock with Fr. Pat Knippenberg as celebrant, assisted by Bob’s nephew Deacon David Dufilho. Following the reception, the family will proceed to a private family inurnment.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Hospice of South Texas 1005 Mallette Dr, Victoria, Tx 77904, Our Lady of Lourdes, 105 N. William St Victoria Tx 77901, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort with his family by visiting www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
