Ernest Hobrecht Rodriguez
November 28, 1938 - November 2, 2025
Ernest Hobrecht Rodriguez passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, surrounded by family – just a few weeks shy of his 87th birthday.
He retired from San Antonio Air Logistics Center in 1993 with 32 years of faithful service. He was a Branch Chief in Material Management, Competition Advocacy and Technology Industrial Directorates. Ernest received numerous awards during his federal service career, including an outstanding award from the Secretary of Defense for his leadership and vast knowledge of digitizing engineering documentation. He frequently flew to Washington, D.C. and other cities to defend/represent the Department of Defense against major contractors and other non-government organizations.
Ernest was extremely involved at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was a former member of the Financial Council, Pastoral Council, President of the Athletic Association and a Eucharistic Minister. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #786. He helped raise money for the Knights and for the church by organizing bus excursions to various places in Texas and Louisiana for about 12 years.
Playing golf was one of Ernest's treasured pastimes. He was on the golf team at Brackenridge High School, Burbank High School, and St. Mary's University. In 1971, he was the Kelly A.F.B. Champion. He was involved in conducting numerous tournaments for over 30 years. Many of the tournaments were for charity. In 1998, he was a co-founder of the Bishop Flanagan Habitat for Humanity Golf Classic. Ernest also loved to caddy, watch, and play golf with his daughter, Neisy. They traveled all over Texas when she played junior golf, competing for Texas Tech University and on the Texas Ladies Mini-Tour. He also loved keeping up with and attending many of his grandchildren's golf tournaments throughout the state and country, from their elementary years through college.
Traveling with family and friends was one of Ernest's joys in life. He loved taking long road trips around the U.S. to visit historical sites, monuments, and national parks. He was affectionately nicknamed the "Wagon Master" because he'd wake everyone at the crack of dawn to get an early start and make the most of the day exploring and appreciating all of God's creations. Ernest also loved to travel abroad to different countries. One of his favorite trips was to the Holy Land to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Ernest is survived by his wife Nelda, his son Ernie, his daughter Neisy McDonough (and husband Moore), grandchildren Hunter and Brooke McDonough, sister Belind Defalco, and brother Rod Rodriguez.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16th at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, Texas, 78232.
A Funeral mass will be held on Monday, November 17 at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78216.
Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, Texas, 78266.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus Council #786, P.O. Box 790601, San Antonio, TX 78279.
You are invited to sign the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.comPublished by San Antonio Express-News on Nov. 12, 2025.