Roberto Alejandro del Rio's Obituary
Roberto “Robert” Alejandro del Rio, 67, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, in Rowlett, Texas. He was born on Tuesday, May 15, 1951, to his loving parents, Alberto del Rio and Maria Carmen Palmero del Rio in Havana, Cuba.Born the son of a Cuban military leader, Robert and his sister, Carmen, had a loving and wonderful childhood exploring the beautiful island of Cuba with their many aunts, uncles and cousins. Within the family, Robert was fondly known as “Chicho”. Due to political strife in Cuba, the del Rios relocated to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1962 and later onto to Miami, Florida, in March of 1963. The family ultimately settled in Dallas, Texas, where Robert began attending St. Bernard’s Catholic School. Unfamiliar with the U.S. culture and language, Robert stayed after school working with the St. Bernard nuns to learn to speak English. He went on to attend High School at Woodrow Wilson and gained his U.S. citizenship during that time.During his High School years he met the love of his life, a fiery red-head, Linda Christian. Robert and Linda, a modern-day Ricky & Lucy, met in 1970 at a church dance and later married in 1973. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Lake Highlands and Robert played in a band, The Tropicana’s. The band played in venues all across Dallas bringing a type of music unique to the area. Proud of his culture and heritage, Robert loved sharing Latin music and entertaining. The Tropicana’s continued entertaining well into the 1980’s and went on to produce two albums.After High School Robert studied computer programming at Draughon’s Business College in Dallas. In 1972 he began his career with Texas Instruments where he served in a variety of roles specific to their network operations center. He became an expert in IT operations and support services with a focus on maximizing IT enterprise effectiveness.Among the many titles he held, he was most proud of his role as a father and later a grandfather. In 1980 Robert and Linda were blessed with their first child, Christopher, and grew their family again in 1983 with the birth of their daughter, Ashley. The family lived in Rowlett, TX and enjoyed spending time with family and friends who became like family. Robert enjoyed coaching Chris’ YMCA football team where he, no doubt, impacted the lives of numerous young men teaching them the love of the game and the importance of sportsmanship. Robert especially loved spending time at the beach. The Destin, Florida area quickly became a family favorite with countless summers and memories made together on the white, sandy beaches. As the children grew, the del Rio house became the hub for all of Chris and Ashley’s friends. Everyone was welcome there and together, Robert and Linda, helped to shape many of the young men and women who gathered through their example of love, friendship and family.As the children grew and married, Robert took on a new title of Grandfather or “Papiya” as they called him. His grandchildren thought the world of him and the feeling was mutual. He was always there with a joke, a pony ride or with his guitar ready to sing songs together.Robert was preceded in death by his father, Alberto del Rio and mother, Maria Carmen Palmero del Rio and niece, Michelle Self. He is survived by: his wife of 45 years, Linda; son, Chris, and his wife, Monica; daughter, Ashley, and her husband, Josh; sister, Carmen; and grandchildren, Wynnie, Sallie, Lybbie, Nora Beth and William; in addition to many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Robert will be greatly missed by his loving family, his devoted friends and all the wonderful individuals who knew and loved him.Visitation for Robert will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 1, 2018 at 12:30 PM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home located at 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243.
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