Ricardo Alba

Ricardo Alba was born in his parents' home near El Paso, Texas on 21 February 1938. He was the third of eight children born to Angela (nee Armijo) and Salvador Macias Alba. His family later moved to Deming, New Mexico where Ricky played countless games of baseball with his brothers and the neighborhood kids. He graduated from Deming High School where he excelled in academics as well as football, track, basketball, and played baseball with a local league because his school did not have a varsity team yet. He was a 4-year letterman, a member of the National Honor Society, and was named to the All New Mexico High School Football team as the starting quarterback.
At New Mexico A & M, later changed to New Mexico State University in 1960, Ricky majored in biology, and played football and baseball for the school. During this time the NMSU Aggies were back-to-back Sun Bowl Champions in 1959 and 1960. Ricky and his younger brother, Armando, played together on the 1960 undefeated Aggie football team.
Rick graduated from NMSU in 1961 and was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. He served in the Army for 30 years working hard to improve health care for soldiers and their families. He received many awards and honors to include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Expert Field Medical Badge.
In 1963 he married Patricia Anne Neals of Schenectady, New York. Over the years he wrote her beautiful poetry and their adventures included postings in Fort Belvoir, VA; Bangkok, Thailand; Fort Sam Houston, TX; Fort Meade, MD; Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; Las Cruces, NM; West Point, NY; Fort Gordon, GA; Bremerhaven Germany; and Fort Campbell, KY. He cherished his wife. Their 62-year love story is one their children and grandchildren look to for inspiration. After his retirement in 1991, Rick and Patie Anne settled in San Marcos, Texas, where they remained together until his death. Rick spent decades playing golf at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club with his buddies.
More than anything, Rick valued his beloved family. His siblings, Paula, Fernie, Yoli, Mando, Ramon, Kitchie, and Eddie, were his childhood best friends and they remained close in adulthood despite the physical distance that separated them. His devoted sisters were the ones he turned to when he wanted to be reminded of his parents' love. The Alba's loved competition. They gathered for touch football, basketball, poker, and too many golf matches to count. Glynn Mallory was included when the Alba Golf tournaments were held in San Antonio. Later, the Alba boys were joined on the golf course by the next generation, which greatly pleased Rick.
Rick and Patie Anne raised two daughters who he felt gave him the best grandchildren ever. "Papa" adored them above all other people and loved being their grandfather. His oldest granddaughter, Annalisa, is distinguished as the only person on the planet who could ever really boss him around. Rick watched his grandson grow up into a truly fine man and was so proud Javier became fluent in Rick-speak. His youngest granddaughter, who he dubbed Sofia the Cat, was his partner in crime, and he declared her to be his PIT (Papa in Training).
His mother, father, sisters Paula and Yolanda, brother Eduardo, and his nephews Ricky and David predeceased Rick. He is survived by his wife Patie Anne, his loving daughters Cynthia and Sonia, his son-in-law Mike, his grandchildren Annalisa, Javier, and Sofia, his cherished brothers Fernando, Armando, Ramon and Kitchie, along with their wives, and many adored nieces and nephews. Well done, Rick. Be thou at peace.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Shriners Children's Texas. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ricardo, please visit our Tree Store.