Robert Barboza

April 7, 1938 – August 19, 2018

Robert Saucedo Barboza was born in Sugarland, Texas on April 7, 1938 to Nasaria Saucedo and Esteban Barboza. His family moved to Houston when he was approximately 4 years old. Robert was raised in a strong Christian home and grew up in the Pentecostal faith, worshipping at Templo Samaria del Cladic in downtown Houston. He graduated from Davis High School in 1956. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp shortly after, serving three years, and was honorably discharged in 1959.

In 1961 he married Martha Meave in the now landmark Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Houston’s East End and were together for 27 years. They were quickly blessed with 3 children (Lisa, Monica and Gabriel) in 4 years’ time. All 3 were baptized at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Robert was mechanically inclined and worked for the Houston Police Department garage for a short time after serving in the military. He began his postal carrier in 1964, starting as a letter carrier and eventually becoming a highly skilled electronic technician. He was sent numerous times to the Postal Training facility located on the campus of University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma when new letter sorting equipment was installed. If the training occurred over the summer his family would join him on campus for a week or so. Robert loved to drive and would take cross-country family road trips to visit family from Houston to California, sometimes lasting 3 weeks. He enjoyed his career immensely and eventually retired after 47 years of service.

Robert was lucky enough to find happiness again when he met Bernadine Mendoza. The two were married in 2008 and recently celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary. Robert and Bernadine enjoyed traveling and visiting family, and together found Southwest Central Church of Christ and made it their church home.

Robert was a pragmatic, detailed oriented and tenacious man which served him well in his postal career and in life. He rarely gave up when faced with a problem, whether it was a broken letter sorting machine at work, a car or an appliance making a funny sound, or even someone who needed help. Robert was always there to listen to the problem and try to find a solution to make things better.

Robert was the eldest of 5 children. He had 3 brothers and 1 sister – Alfred, Rudy, Richard and Rose. His mother, father, and three of his siblings preceded him in death. Robert is survived by his wife, Bernadine; his children, Lisa Barboza Rhodes (Walter), Monica Barboza Montalbano (James), Gabriel Eugene Barboza; and one brother Alfred Saucedo Barboza. Robert was also blessed with 5 grandchildren – Jenna Alexandria Rhodes, Airman First Class Benjamin Gates Rhodes (Elin), Samuel Robert Rhodes, Marli Meave Rhodes and Phoenix Azul Hamilton, who all lovingly called Robert “Grandaddy.” Robert also had 4 nephews, 1 niece and a total of 8 great nieces and great nephews. He had extended family mainly in San Antonio, San Marcos and California.

Robert passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at his home from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).