Col. Victor Bernabe Rodriguez USAF (Ret.)

Colonel Victor B. Rodriguez, U.S. Air Force (Retired), passed away after a short illness on December 7, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Ramona "Monica" Rodriguez, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage, and their three children, Victor Javier Rodriguez, Vivian Judith Dano, and Vanessa Jeanette Rodriguez and their spouses Amparo Cecilia Tatis, Dr. Eric Dano, and Dr. Stig M.R. Jensen and six grandchildren Victor Manuel Rodriguez Tatis, Oscar Luciano Tatis Rodriguez, Brian Christopher Dano, Alexander Thomas Dano, Janik Ares Jensen and Dominic Thor Jensen and his nine brothers and sisters, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Margarita Rodriguez, Albertina Rodriguez, Irma Rodriguez, David Julian Rodriguez, Milagros Josefina Rodriguez, Reinaldo Rodriguez, Wenscelao Rodriguez and Felix Rodriguez. Victor was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He graduated from New York University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and from the University of Utah with a Master's in Business Administration. He served in the United States Air Force for 28 and a half years, which included exchange tours with the Royal Canadian and Spanish Air Forces. He participated in the Vietnam War as a C-130 Navigator. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, several air medals, and the Marine Presidential Unit Citation for keeping Khe Sanh supplied during its siege (Operation Delaware). He served as Base Commander of Torrejon Air Force Base, Spain, from 1978 to 1981 and finished his active duty career as Secretary to the InterAmerican Defense Board. Victor's impressive decorations include the Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Spanish Air Force Air Medal 1st Class. After retiring from the military, he joined Coldwell Banker as a real estate agent. Later, in 1990, he became a real estate broker and joined RE/MAX. He worked with RE/MAX Affiliates, RE/MAX Allegiance, and RE/MAX Executives in Alexandria, Virginia. He was the first President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) in 2000. The organization educates and empowers real estate professionals who work with Hispanic buyers and sellers. In recognition of his successful career, he was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame award by RE/MAX in 2002. A devout Catholic, he was a member of the Fort Belvoir Community and was one of the original members of the Hispanic Catholic Mass. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church (8710 Mount Vernon Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309) from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM; a reception will follow. Burial services will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In honor of Victor B. Rodriguez, please donate to the American Lung Association in lieu of flowers. To view the livestream of Mass please visit: https://youtube.com/live/e-kn0mK_RUc?feature=share