Robert D. San Miguel

1935 - 2017

Robert D. San Miguel

April 14, 1935 – June 01, 2017

Age 82, passed away in Burlingame with his family at his side on Thursday evening, June 01, 2017. He lived in San Bruno & South San Francisco, California for over forty years.
He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on April 14, 1935. Robert moved to San Francisco, CA in 1957 to join his mother and two brothers already living in the Bay Area. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family both in the Bay Area and San Antonio. He had a gregarious laugh and personality that would light up a room. Mr. San Miguel loved his family and was known for his generosity and always willing to help family and friends. He worked for many years at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. Eventually, the shipyard closed and he transferred to the US Defense Logistics Agency.
He was class valedictorian at San Antonio Technical High School. Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Quartermaster on the US carrier Randolph CVA 15.
During his time at the SF Naval Shipyard, he discovered an old generator in the garbage pile. The generator was brought over from the Pacific during WWII. They discovered that the generator was one of the first ever manufactured. Together with two friends they rebuilt the generator like new and manufactured their own parts. Once rebuilt, he was selected by the US Navy to present the generator to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC where it has been on display.
Robert was preceded in death his sister Rose San Miguel Love and two brothers, Albert San Miguel and Rudy San Miguel. He is survived by nephews Anthony S. Rizzo (and wife Mayra Milian), Robert Garcia, Mathew Garcia, Jorge Contreras, Albert San Miguel (and wife Melissa), Carlos San Miguel, Rudy San Miguel and Mario San Miguel, niece Sarah Funes, grand-nieces and nephews Vivian San Miguel, Antonio San Miguel, Ximena San Miguel, Evangelina San Miguel and sister-in-law Maria Elena San Miguel.
Visitation will be at Chapel of the Highlands in Millbrae on Sunday June 11, 2017, 4:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Veronica's Church in South San Francisco on Monday June 12, 2017 10:00 AM followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.
Memorial gifts may be made in his name to his favorite charity, The Navy League of the United States.