Robert Stephen ESPINDOLA

1952 - 2016

ESPINDOLA, Robert Stephen Robert Espindola lost his life to congestive heart failure on May 11, 2016, passing peacefully with his partner and loving friends at his side. He was 63. A native of Santa Rosa, Robert was born on September 16, 1952. He graduated from Montgomery High School in 1971, and from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa in 1975. Upon completing graduate studies, Robert taught elementary school for the Santa Rosa School District, and later for the Palm Springs Unified School District. In 1992 he was honored as one of California's "Distinguished Educators" by the California State Board of Education. Robert was also ordained in the Community of Christ church, serving for decades as pastor, high priest and youth minister. Robert will be remembered for his gentle and courageous spirit, his unwavering integrity, his dedication to the well-being of children, and for his kindness and generosity to all who knew him. Robert is preceded in death by his mother Lee Rasmussen of Vallejo and brother Bruce Espindola of Santa Rosa. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the Community of Christ Church, 1495 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Donations in Robert's memory can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.