Robert John Ochoa Gandara

1934 - 2021

Robert John Ochoa Gandara
June 24, 1934 - January 23, 2021
San Diego, California - It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Robert John Ochoa Gandara. He was born June 24, 1934 and passed from this world on January 23, 2021 at 4:30 P.M. He was 85 years old. His residence at the time of his death was San Diego, California. Bob served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1954. Following his service career he was a film editor for Technicolor and 20th Century Fox. Bob also started two businesses during his lifetime, one selling sewing machines and the other as a tamale vendor. He also had a career working for the State of California Department of Welfare. His greatest work was unpaid and entailed his tireless efforts as an organizer during the Chicano Rights Movement. He was married and divorced twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Wildes, who bore him a son, Robert Alejandro Gandara. His second marriage was to Alicia Escalante and he became stepfather to her five children; Raul, Julie, Tony, Lorraine and Alex. Bob was preceded in death by his mother Jovita, sisters Rowena and Patricia, stepson Raul Escalante and his nephew John Paul. He is survived by his son Robert Alejandro, granddaughter Alexis Gandara and great granddaughters Mia and Veda. He was cared for in his last days by his caregiver Christina and his nephew Victor. He will be missed by his niece and goddaughter Barbara Ann, as well as, his nieces Nancy, Sonya and Kelly. the entire Ochoa Family and all who knew and loved him. Please email his granddaughter Alexis Gandara rootedgrounds@gmail.com for a prayer card. Please visit https://chicanaporlajusticia.com for more information on his life