Robert Peña

Robert Peña passed suddenly on June 27th, 2025 in Dallas, TX at the age of 76. He was born October 7th, 1958 to Teresa Perez Saldaña and estranged father, Armando Peña.

At the age of ten, his mother moved with him and his three sisters from Bakersfield, CA to Dallas, TX in the neighborhood of Oak Cliff. A few years after meeting the love of his life as teenagers, his late wife Dolores Peña, Robert was drafted to the Army in 1968 to serve in Vietnam at nineteen years old. In war, he saw action that he would come to keep to himself in later years, never talking about what he experienced with his family. He returned to the states in 1970 and immediately reconnected with Dolores. They would wed in 1972 and celebrate 52 years as husband and wife until Dolores' passing in 2024.

Robert worked various jobs while supporting his growing family and would land at Federal Signs in Arlington, TX in 1980. The company was known for large scale business related signs and specialty public installations. As a helper, he worked early hours and persevered through discrimination, believing in his natural talent for fabrication. His hard work, street smarts, and friendly disposition earned him a role of apprentice eventually leading him to become a Journeyman, a master sign builder, which he was very proud of.

Over the years, Robert would go on to build a multitude of signs for clients such as Universal Studios, Disney theme parks, the first restaurant signs for Texas Roadhouse, and multiple casinos in Las Vegas and Missouri. He worked on early LED signs that were installed in Times Square and he traveled to Georgia to assist in building out Underground Atlanta and Kenny's Alley. Perhaps his most ambitious feat was early in his career when in 1985, his company was hired to install the original green neon lighting on the Bank of America building in downtown Dallas. Along with a small crew, Robert strapped up and hung from the top of the 72-story structure to get the job done. He would work for Federal until their Arlington location closed in 2002. Robert was known as a blue collar jokester and dependable amongst his colleagues.

He was a family man quick to lend a helping hand to a neighbor, the community, or one of his many life long "homeboys". Always a busy body, Robert was ready to help pull an engine out of a car or build a tree house in his back yard. He volunteered to help build a new playground at his local elementary school of Anson Jones. The man loved his tools and usually had a rag hanging out of his back pocket as he bustled about in his garage. He kept his kids busy as well with sports, new hobbies, and endless visits to amusement parks. He maintained an adventurous spirit throughout his life.

Robert was a lover of music, having grown up wanting to be a singer himself. He loved the Beatles and Santana but also Linkin Park and Audioslave, with all kinds of music in between. He was a master conversationalists who could talk for hours and always kept up with his friends over phone call. More than anything, Robert loved his wife, Dolores Peña. They built a loving, safe, and supportive home and raised a family against all the odds. Both may be gone but they will forever be dancing to Harvest Moon in their Oak Cliff house.

Robert is survived by his sons Anthony and Arthur and his daughter, Melissa. Robert and Dolores will be laid to rest together at the Dallas National Cemetery on August 22nd at 9:00AM with a reception to follow at the Martin Weiss Recreation Center at 10:30AM.