Luis Gustavo Rivera

Luis Gustavo Rivera Cabrera, affectionately known as “Tavi,” age 88, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2022.  He was born on July 16, 1934 to Gustavo Rivera Rosa and Emilia Rivera Cabrera, in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

After graduating from Escuela Superior Ana Roque de Duprey in his hometown of Humacao, he attended Tuskegee University in Alabama and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Bethesda, Maryland, he met the love of his life, Arlene Frances Norris, whom he married on July 14, 1958. Five children, Carlos, Lisa Margarita, Luis Manuel, Ricardo, and Luis Gustavo, Jr., were born of this union.

"Tavi" was an X-Ray Technician for the Veterans Administration before his employment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agency (APHIS). He retired from said Agency in 1992. He enjoyed sports, especially softball and boxing. And he was a member of the Bowie senior softball league. He also enjoyed playing dominos and the mandolin and solving word puzzles, a favorite pastime he shared with his cherished wife. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustavo Rivera Rosa and Emilia Rivera Cabrera, and his brothers, Emilio Rivera Cabrera, Milton Rivera Cabrales, and Waldemar Rivera Cabrales. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Arlene Frances Rivera, and their children, Carlos (Claudia), Lisa Margarita, Luis Manuel (María del Pilar), Ricardo (Geeta), and Luis Gustavo, Jr., eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two brothers, Ramón Rivera Cabrera and Néstor Rivera Cabrales, three sisters, Myrna Rivera Acosta, Nyvia Rivera Cabrales and Abigail Rivera Santiago, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Viewing will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m., at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20715. Family and friends will gather at the Rivera residence after the service.