Search by Name

Search by Name

Roberto Anguiano Sr.

1940 - 2017

Roberto Anguiano Sr. obituary, 1940-2017, San Antonio, TX

BORN

1940

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories

1700 SE Military Drive

San Antonio, Texas

Roberto Anguiano Obituary

July 20, 1940 - September 23, 2017
Roberto Anguiano, Sr. went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 23, 2017. He was 77 years old. Roberto was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 20, 1940 and was raised on the city's Westside near the intersection of Zarzamora and Martin streets.

He attended Fox Tech and in 1958 he joined the United States Air Force. In 1960, he married Rosie Bustillos Martinez, from the Harlandale district, a Canary Island and a San Antonio World Heritage Mission descendant.

After completing Basic Military Training at Lackland, AFB Texas, he was trained as a water and sanitation specialist and was assigned to various locations throughout the world during his active duty career. This experience would prove to be valuable and led to an over 50-year career in water quality management.

Upon being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he quickly used his skills to land a job at the San Antonio River Authority as an engineering technician resource analyst and moved to the Southside where he would raise his five children.

In 1972, Anguiano joined the City of San Antonio Wastewater Management Department, which later became San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS), and spent the next 22 years of his career there before retiring.

A true "boot-strapper" he rose through the ranks and became Superintendent of Leon Creek and Salado Creek plants. He also served as the project manager in the building of the Dos Rios plant.


As a capstone to his water career, in 2004 he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of San Antonio Water System where he was part of the development of the city's 50-year water plan and served as the board secretary and for 4 years as the chair of the audit committee. He served for 8 years as a trustee.

Roberto's legacy went well beyond his service in the military and with SAWS. A natural leader, he was part of several organizations and led the creation of a number of community focused groups.

He began his community work by serving as the first PTA President of Mission Elementary School (now known as Gilbert), he would also serve as a band booster president at Harlandale Middle School. He would later join the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and would serve a number of years as Council 403's president and also a Deputy District Director, as well as many other roles.

Roberto's activism in the Mission San Jose area and Mission Trails began in the early 90's when he founded the San Jose Neighborhood Association to address basic infrastructure needs. Additionally, a lover of the San Antonio river, he co-founded the Basura Bash along with the environmental club of McCollum High School. The Basura Bash, which continues to this day, is the largest single-day waterway clean-up in Texas. It is an effort to clean our rivers and waterways to promote a healthy ecosystem. Furthermore, Anguiano founded Los Vecinos De Las Misiones Community Development Corporation. Los Vecinos was responsible for assisting homeowners near the Espada area with housing revitalization and utility hook-up grants.

Naturally, Anguiano's interest in his mission neighborhood led to him being a part of some pivotal committees that have shaped the river and mission trails. He was a member of the Mission Trails Oversight Committee and the original San Antonio River Oversight Committee. The work done by these groups were the precursor to the Missions being designated a World Heritage Site and the entire community continues to enjoy both to this day.

His work continued for the neighborhood and was a critical voice that helped broker three very important assets in the San Jose Neighborhood, which include the Mission Library, the Najim YMCA and the Mission District Community Garden. He served as the Friends of the Mission Library's first president, where he led in the fundraising for several resources. He held that position until his passing.

Finally, later in life, he was very active with the mission neighborhood's VFW Post 9186 where he served on the building committee and various roles.

He was known to always have placed his community first and was relentless in the pursuit of improving the quality of life for his family and his neighbors. His work has not gone unnoticed and his accolades are numerous.
The neighborhood, the city and visitors from throughout the world will continue to benefit from Roberto's life-long work.


Roberto is preceded by his parents Blas and Felipa Anguiano, his brothers John Anguiano and Jesse Anguiano. He is survived by his wife, of 57 years, Rosie Martinez Anguiano, daughter Rosemary Anguiano-Zuniga and son-in-law Nathan Zuniga; son Roberto Anguiano, Jr. and daughter-in-law Patricia, son Alexander Anguiano and daughter-in-law Anne, sons Ronald Anguiano and Andrew Anguiano. Grandchildren include Anthony Anguiano, Patrick Anguiano, Natalie Anguiano, William Anguiano, Robert Anguiano and Andres Anguiano. Great Grand Children are Niya Anguiano and Audrey Anguiano.

Services: Visitation at 5 p.m., Rosary at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 4th at Mission Park South Chapel, 1700 SE Military Drive; Mass at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, October 5th at Mission San Jose Church, 701 E. Pyron Avenue.

Interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on behalf of Roberto Anguiano, Sr., to the Friends of the Mission Library, 3134 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78214.
(210) 207-2704

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Oct. 3, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Roberto Anguiano

Sponsored by Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories.

Not sure what to say?





Rachel Cywinski

November 1, 2017

My deepest sympathy, praying for strength for your family.

Andrew Garcia

October 5, 2017

My deepest sympathy to the Anguiano family, RIP Roberto

Andrew Martinez

October 4, 2017

Alexander & Anguiano Family,
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your dear father. Such a sweet man to be around. And we always enjoyed hearing stories of his activities in the community. What an example he has been to all his family and friends.

With Love,
Joe and Donna Wolf

October 4, 2017

Love you dad

Andrew

October 3, 2017

Rosie and Anguiano Families,
My deepest sympathy. My prayers, thoughts and love are with you at this time.
Sorry for your loss. Know he is in your hearts and memories always.
He will always watch over you.
Stay strong and have faith.
Bless you all,
Vicky

Victoria Posada Foreman

October 3, 2017

Rachel Cywinski

October 3, 2017

Mr. Anguiano was ever a champion for equity in the Missions neighborhood. Even years after Los Vecinos de las Missiones finally got approval formthe sewer service that they had been paying for, for so many years, it was impossible to think of Roberto without being mindful of the struggle for basic services that continues to exist in modern San Antonio. More recent memories include him accepting very generous donations for Mission Branch Library through his appeals to Union Pacific, the day the raised vegetable beds were filled behind that same library, and his attendance at the long-anticipated Open House at the new Najim YMCA also near the Mission library and garden, just days before he died.
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Rachel Cywinski

Neighbor

October 3, 2017

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Make a Donation
in Roberto Anguiano's name

Memorial Events
for Roberto Anguiano

Oct

4

Visitation

5:00 p.m.

Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories

1700 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214

Oct

4

Rosary

7:00 p.m.

Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories

1700 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214

Oct

5

Funeral Mass

9:30 a.m.

Mission San Jose Church

701 E. Pyron Avenue, TX

Oct

5

Interment

Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery

TX

Funeral services provided by:

Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories

1700 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214

How to support Roberto's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Roberto Anguiano's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more