Roberto Tamayo De Guzman

August 12, 1936 – April 6, 2025

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, Roberto Tamayo De Guzman peacefully passed away at the age of 88 after a long illness. His family surrounded him in his final hours.

Roberto (aka “Bert”) was born in Cabueldatan, Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Philippines to his parents Feliciano Sr. and Victoria De Guzman. He was the fifth of eleven children. Bert’s caring devotion to his family forged sponsorships for US citizenship for several of his siblings and their families, including Feliciano Sr., his father.

His long-standing service in the United States Navy spanned six decades, serving as a Disbursing Clerk in uniform for 20 years and as a Disbursing Clerk in civilian clothes for nearly 40 years. Deciding to make a bold career change from a Philippine Army Officer to a US Navy Sailor, young Bert enlisted at nearby Cavite City on February 27, 1959. His distinguished military career included tours of duty at Patrol Squadron 42, Naval Support Activity Saigon, Vietnam, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 3, Naval Training Center San Diego, USS Dixon (AS-37), Naval Station Great Lakes, and USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37) where he retired as a Chief Petty Officer Disbursing Clerk (E-7) on September 7, 1979. He then rejoined the US Navy as a Civil Servant Deputy Disbursing Officer and Military Pay Auditor, continuing to patriotically serve young sailors and help fellow shipmates. He retired in January 2018 after faithfully serving the US Navy for 60 years. By his loyal devotion to duty, Bert reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the US Naval Service.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bert became a part-time business entrepreneur and a pioneer in a partnership as a distributor of Filipino beverages and snack products in San Diego. He and wife Delia also built a successful real estate agency together – one of the first Filipino-led businesses in the county.

Bert loved to garden, growing traditional southern California staples such as lemons, oranges, apples, and avocados, but also more exotic produce such as guavas, loquats, upo, and bananas. His yard was well-known in the neighborhood for its fruit trees, the produce of which was shared with neighbors and friends. Bert’s love of nature also extended to all animals, especially the family dogs, for each pet always had a warm place in his heart.

Bert enjoyed watching television and movies and was a big fan of westerns and American classics. His devotion to prayer and daily Mass attendance inspired him to serve in the ministry of hospitality as a regular usher at Sunday Mass. He served faithfully for several years at Corpus Christi, his local parish, until he could no longer drive.

Bert generously looked after his family – this is what he treasured most. He was always happiest surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Bert is survived by his wife, Delia; daughter Darlene and husband Danny; daughter Rosemarie and husband Bernard; son Robert and wife Mylene; son Michael and partner Ari; grandchildren Roman, Kennedy, Alex, Isabel, and Ava; and siblings Felicidad, Demetrio, Lydia, Rebecca, and Carlito. Predeceased family members include Bert’s parents, Feliciano Sr and Victoria; and siblings Juanita, Emilio, Felipe, Gloria, and Feliciano Jr.

Bert will be remembered as a devoted Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, and friend to all. He will be missed.