Sergio Z. Robles

Sergio loved life! Every day, he wanted to learn something new, found ways to connect with every person he met, and made everyone laugh.

Father, husband, teacher, builder, architect, Chilean, American, chef, restauranteur, lover of country music, soccer player and coach, philosopher, historian, musician, harmonica player, designer, mentor, altar boy, traveler, author - of a book he didn’t let anyone read, and an avid lover of women and wine - starting with a beautiful young Chilean woman who accompanied him to this country, still laughs at his dirty jokes, and was his life partner and friend.

His father and mother, Santiago and Elsa Robles Zanetta, took Teco and his siblings, Santiago, Elsa, Carmencha, on adventures through Chile, France, and Brazil, which shaped his thinking and life. While keeping close to his family and friends in Chile, he built a new life in the United States. He was abundantly generous – extending a hand to newly arrived immigrants and teaching, anyone who wanted to learn, the craft of building and design.

Lili, his girlfriend, wife, life partner and friend, met Teco at 15, married him at 23, and came from Chile to New York City as architects - not knowing what their future would hold. But they did well, growing their careers, and their family and she has always and will forever admire his energetic spirit; being a hard worker, good father, and loyal friend.

Andrea, his daughter, learned a sense of adventure, love of people, and a curiosity of new situations from her father. His magic was engaging people. She remembers as a child shopping with him at a local grocery store, when the bagger mocked his accent. His reaction to look him in the eye, smile and have a simple conversation of where he was from - led to an apology with an admittance that he was himself the son of Italian immigrants. His message to me: always be proud, be respectful, and wield the magic of connection.

Ricardo, his first son, thinks his father was the mayor of the world. He made instant friends with anyone he met. ‘When I was much younger, it felt embarrassing to ask people so many questions about themselves but without that, I would have never been invited to sit in the cockpit of the jet plane when we landed in Chile. Who gets to do that?’ He made everyone feel important.

Javier, his second son, remembers holding the flashlight for his father as he single-handedly rebuilt the home he now lives in. He remembers thinking how his dad had really strong arms – and was so smart - how does he know to do all these things? How did he have the courage to move his family to a new country and the audacity to build a whole life for all of us? And tales of adventures all over the world? His father gave him the courage to date a beautiful Colombian woman - and chase her to far off lands, and imbue his own kids with that same sense of adventure, never caring what anyone else thinks.

Solon, Andrea’s husband, remembers his delight in his witness to history. He told stories of living as a boy in occupied Paris and how German soldiers gave him chocolates (impossible to find) in the Bois du Bologne, how a café he frequented with his parents was attacked by the French resistance, permitting young Sergio and his family a narrow escape, and how when his family fled from the continent, they flew many large Chilean flags on the ship to convince German submarines not to sink them.

Connie, Ricardo’s wife, remembers his calming spirit. On their wedding day, she was in the back of the church crying, and Sergio came over and put his arm around her to calm her. His reassurance that all was well felt wonderful.

Sorabel, Javier’s wife, has so many memories, she could write an encyclopedia. Sergio was her accomplice and friend since she met him in Miami in the 1990s. He had a calming presence and remembers when her little kids were locked in her van, he said “’mijita’ don’t worry, we will get them out,” and he did. He always found a solution to any problem.

Javierito, his first grandson, reflects on how Teco mastered the art of time- time as both a resource and a gift. He lived in the present, making anyone feel welcome to share in the moment. Whether met in passing or known for years, each person received the full effort of his time through conversation, reflection, and the very occasional joke. Through his actions, Teco has taught many to value, use, and share time; making every moment of that unrenewable resource count.

Arianna, his first granddaughter, described speaking to him as a child. I would say “my Teco” and people would at me confused and ask, “Who is Teco?” My grandpa, I would respond. It was then I realized that no one in this world has a Teco but us. He wasn’t an abuelo or grandpa he was Teco. Why? Because there was no one else like him. Even as he aged, he still managed to light up a room make everyone laugh or have deep conversations with advice I will carry with me forever. He is our Teco loco loco Teco.

Katerina, his second granddaughter, always impressed of how accepting he was of everyone regardless of language, race, age, class, and ahead of his time, always seeking out people and situations. Teco taught her to take life less seriously and have more fun, breaking the rules with a big smile on his face – like touching something with a big “do not touch” sign and sticking his tongue out!

Derrick, his second grandson, said every moment I’ve spent with Teco, he made me laugh or smile at least once. In May of this year, I went for a walk with him in Nutley. And Teco was so concerned about walking too slowly for me that I had to remind him that he was 90 years old! He was careful to make sure I was comfortable regardless of his condition. That’s a trait I think he has passed on to his children and grandchildren. He lives on in all of us, and we should be grateful for that.

He taught Alessandra, his third granddaughter, that the point of life was to learn. He was always interested in everything around him, and she continued to admire his outlook on life and interest in knowing about all that surrounded him, even at the end of his life.

He made the best empanadas, and he taught all his grandkids how to make them. Gabriela, his fourth granddaughter, remembers what he said with a wink the first time she got them right, “you have good hands, like me!”

Richie Mitchell, his longtime friend, said that on December 28, 2025, we lost someone very special. “To me, his name was Sergio Robles, AKA Teco, AKA Chief. He was my friend, my mentor, and my surrogate father. We met in 1985, and worked together, played together, and traveled together. He was a very special teacher to me and my advisor in all things in life. I became the person I am today because of all of Teco’s kindness, care, and love. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life. Sleep well my friend.”

Alisha, Javierito’s partner, will always remember him as someone full of life - drinking his whiskey, making those around him laugh, and sharing stories about his adventures.

Diego, Katerina’s partner, remembers his wisdom and modesty; never selfish and how he shared his knowledge and taught him about building, design and construction.

His family in Chile, such as his nieces, Leyda and Carolla Oshwald, and so many others sent beautiful notes and remember his laughter, love, and big spirit!

Sergio Juan Fernando Luis del Carmen Robles Zanetta had nine lives - starting with Scarlet Fever at 5 in Paris, endocarditis in his 50s, and brain aneurysm in his 60s, two heart valve replacements and much more. He was a fortunate man that was always surrounded by his family, loved by his life partner, children, in-laws, grandchildren and wonderful friends. We have all learned from him. He taught us that life is about making mistakes and loving anyone you want with abandonment. And he gave all of us Robles' the hidden treasures of his DNA, the good, bad and scrappy, to his children and grandchildren and we couldn’t be happier.

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