I really miss you bro I love you. Another year has passed and I feel like you’re with me all the time. I really miss you love you I’ll see you again Crocket.

Marines in general, but Marine Drill Instructors in particular are a small community and it is sad to hear of Roberto's passing. I too remember his great sense of humor and work ethic. Fond memories of working with him and the whole team of drill instructors that shaped the future of the Marine Corps. 
God Bless your family and many friends you leave behind. 
Semper Fi,
Brian Vreeland   

Hotrod was a great family man, Marine, mentor, and awesome friend!  You will be sorely missed brother.
Dan Ritter

Rod had a wonderful sense of Humor.    On one occasion, just prior to graduation, Rod who was in a different platoon, walked into my Squad Bay, and he began speaking to my recruits in Spanish.  He then entered my Duty Hut and helped himself to my coffee.  After a few minutes, Rod looked at me with his silly grin and snapped his fingers.   Suddenly several of my recruits rushed into the Duty Hut running in a circle screaming at the top of their lungs.   I yelled for them to get out, but they completely ignored me.   Rod then snapped his fingers again and they disappeared.  Rod then walked out of the Duty Hut laughing as he left.  Not sure what he said to my recruits, but it must have been something for them to ignore me.    This is but one of the fond memories that I will cherish of Rod.  Semper Fi Hot Rod!

Robert, we talked about this, having lunch together every day for three years of high school of how to me those were my fondest memories of high school because i got the gift of getting to know you and your sense of humor, smile and your voice. I will forever keep that until we meet again. We joined the Marine Corps together and that gave me the confidence that i could complete boot camp because you would be there with me. That didn't happen though as we were separated and you and Joey  stayed together and i went through it alone. I was afraid to be alone as we were only seventeen but you were my strength and motivation through boot camp. That we never talked about, but i so wanted to talk about it. We would have laughed!   Crying together almost all the way to Phoenix when we left, after we told each other a hundred times we were not going to cry.  But we did you tough guy! And now i cry alone but not forever because i know i will see you in heaven. For now, stand tall Marine, i am proud to say you are my friend and brother.  I love you

Well what can I say about this amazing man that people do  not already know. I will miss your brutal honesty and your tight hugs. Your singing of Fleetwood Mac songs during karaoke. Super Bowls were always something to look forward too lots of love, family, food and dancing. Your love for your family was immense and your heart was a pure as they come. You can tell Fonzy when you see him “I’m watching you” as you do the two finger to the eye motion. Your dance battle with an army soldier will forever be in my memory bank as one of the funniest things ever. We have so many wonderful memories of you and this world will never be the same. I will cherish them all and I will forever hold you and them in my heart. You were definitely one of a kind. You and my Tia raised some pretty amazing kids and we will always be there for them and share all of our wonderful memories of you. We love and miss you tremendously. Heaven gained a great Angel Rest in Paradise my Tio 💙💙💙

~Oorah 

Roberto is a true Marine brother of mine who I had the extreme pleasure to serve with on two tours of duty as a Marine Drill Instructor where Rob was a natural charismatic Leader.   

He was always demanding, but had the extreme sense of humor that anyone who knows him would enjoy fully!!! 

With that, I have cried for days and days over my own pain, and that which the family must be feeling, but I want to keep this in true Hot Rod fashion...  The man that I loved, with tears in my eyes - still laughing, said:  "It is what it is"... 

I LOVE you Hermano!!!  I will cherish and miss you dearly....  Our private times together, and your humor my brother..   So beautiful, yet so poignant now.

Rest in Eternal Peace Marine, 

Your brother,

Ron Hoffman 

From the first day I interviewed Roberto for a job at Waste Management I knew he was not only a proud retired Marine but a leader who would be a perfect fit for us. He never backed away from a challenge, always had a smile and treated his employees with respect. Keep leading the way for all of Roberto.  

One favorite memory… I’m glad he was able to witness his Chiefs beat my 49ers in the super bowl 🏈 and soon after he sent me a video to let me know that they had Won. Sorry buddy next year 😂 You will be missed until we meet again. Rest easy. 💙

OBITUARY

Roberto Gaitan Rodriguez

26 February, 1960 – 3 December, 2021

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