Yesid Rafael Rodriguez

Yesid was born on May 17, 1950, in Cali, Colombia to Pablo Emilio Rodríguez and Gilma María Velasco. While in Colombia, Yesid attended the country’s military aviation school stationed in Cali where he specialized as a Radio and TV electrician. In 1972, he married Francia Obando Triana and soon left for New York to seek new opportunities in the United States. After 14 years in New York, Yesid took his family to Anchorage, Alaska and three years later to Bellevue, Washington.

Yesid took pride in caring for his family. For 12 years, he was a supervisor in the flight services department, for Marriott, at LaGuardia Airport in New York. After moving to Alaska, he took the opportunity to be the stay-at-home parent to his children. Upon arriving in Washington State, Yesid jumped into a new career as a Spanish language instructor, interpreter, and translator. He took delight in this work because it allowed him many opportunities to share his language and culture with his students and clients. Always seeking to try new things, he later ventured into entrepreneurship, importing and exporting office printing products to South America.

A curious and studious individual, Yesid was an avid reader and enjoyed engaging in conversations with family and friends about many topics – sports, politics, history, current events, and authors, to name a few. He enjoyed music of all genres and cooking for his loved ones. His sense of humor and wisdom will be missed by all. It must be noted, that at the center of his love, thoughts, and actions were his wife and children. He was and will always be the best father.

Yesid is predeceased by his father, Pablo. He is survived by his wife, Francia Rodríguez; daughter Diana Rodríguez, daughter Eliana (Frank) Molina, and son Larry (Erin) Rodríguez; his six grandchildren, Nicholas, Raquel, Joaquin, Anabela, Elena, and Liliana; his mother, Gilma; his sisters, Aiza (Kamal) Hallaq and Zoila Rodríguez; and family and friends spread throughout North and South America.

In honor of Yesid, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation.