Bob was a wonderful colleague and friend. He truly helped us move forward in our mission and I’m so sorry for your loss. 

Very respectfully,
John Keener



My deepest condolences to Bob’s loved ones and friends. He was truly a good man and an honorable Marine. I am confident that you are now in paradise. I am sorry I am only learning of your passing today and I pray that God’s grace, blessings, and comfort be with your family. In my most difficult and painful day when we both served at PACOM you were the last person to help me as I left and you showed me such grace and support. You encouraged me to stay strong and that the worst shall pass. You told me to keep pushing when the going gets tough. I will never forget the kindness you displayed. You will be missed. Semper Fidelis my brother. 

Dear Nellie, Bob and family. I heard the news about Young Bob and I send you all my love, prayers and condolences.  I have no words to take away such a devastating loss. I have such fond memories of us all being together when our kids were young. No one ever had a negative thing to say about Bob. He was a great kid. When Chuck got older, I used to punish him for not cleaning his room. Bob would come over and help him clean so they could go out. I pray that Bob will rest in peace and God will comfort you UNTIL YOU MEET AGAIN XOXO

Terry Carter, from Cranford Blvd



Bob, was a great Marine and friend. We first met at Command and Staff College when we were in CG4 together. I will treasure a lot of great memories of Bob from that year in school. Fair winds and following seas Marine!  

Bob was a fine Marine Officer and a great human being. It was always a pleasure to be in his company… people gravitated toward and were inspired by his positive outlook and example. My deepest condolences and sympathies to Bob’s family. 
Much Love and Semper Fidelis,
Willy Buhl

May Bob rest beneath God’s Sheltering Wings of Eternal Peace and Love.  My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers for strength, peace and love for his entire family and loved ones during this time of grief, mourning and loss.  Bob was a shining example of living our Core Values of Honor, Courage & Commitment. An exemplary Servant Leader, he was a leader to emulate and a man who deeply cared for and loved his Marines and our Nation. He is and will be missed. I’m confident more than ever that Heaven’s streets are well guarded and comms are solid and secure. God Bless & Semper Fi, Mike 

My sincere condolences to the entire Maldonado family 🙏🙏

Rest in peace Bobby

DC

Blessed to meet up with you guy’s that night and got to share a dessert with you.  Love you cousin Bobby.  

So blessed to call this amazing man my cousin.  So lovable with the kindest most humble of spirits. Forever my Little Bobby 💙  Saludos to all the family. 

Bob was an incredibly generous leader and friend. He had a gift for making anyone he worked with  crack a smile. He exemplified camaraderie during our 2010 deployment to Afghanistan when within hours of arriving in country, invited everyone out to the smoke pit for a cigar. He genuinely wanted to get to know everyone around him and bounced up to people with the energy of an eager golden retriever. I miss you Bob!

Cousin Love ❤️

Bobby, you will be forever loved and forever missed. We are all heartbroken  by this loss. 

You will forever be in our hearts.  You will be missed! 💔 Love you Little Bobby. 

Such an AMAZING man, son, brother, uncle, husband, cousin and friend.  Give my Mom a hug from me.  Love you always! 💔

I am so grateful for our talks, your support & guidance.  You are truly loved and will FOREVER live in our hearts Bobby.  May you be rejoicing in heaven with our angels. 

SEMPER FI

Bobby, my cousin… my heart is broken. There is now an immense hole in our hearts but the amazing life you lived and the memories you have left us with will forever live in our hearts. Fly high and watch over us. We love you. 

This will always be my favorite picture as it is the last time I saw you. Your smile, laugh, and humor that night (as always) I can still hear right now 💙

Bob was my mentor, showed me the ropes when I arrived at PACOM. When he turned the corner in the cubicle farm, it was smile-business-smile. Outside of work, played many golf rounds together. Both weekend fun rounds but the best were the Friday afternoon Commander Cup tournaments. You will be missed Bob. 

Bob was an exceptional leader, mentor and friend. I am so honored to have gotten to serve with him on the INDOPACOM J6 staff from 2016-2018. Bob was one of the best military officers I’ve known because he was extremely competent, committed and just so good at his job. Absolutely everyone went to him for advice. I learned so much from him, as did everyone who served with him. Bob had a witty way of getting his point across, always having a poignant or funny story to share. He was also very caring and generous. He would lend you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He even helped me with one of my house projects. As a friend he was always ready to lend a sympathetic ear, especially when I was going through some difficult health issues. He will be sorely missed. My heart breaks for Sylvia and the Maldonado family. 

My deepest condolences to Sylvia and to all of the Maldonado family.   It was an honor and a privilege to be on the mission with Bob at Camp Smith for a few quick years - a colleague, friend and all around great guy that knew how to etch a memory whether at work, on the golf course or in Brisbane, Australia doing 'planning'!  He always wore a great big smile - it was contagious!  This 'one' celebrating his retirement from the USMC at the Navy-Marine Golf Course after a fun round of golf.  May you rest in peace comrade.

100 miles completed with a smile.  You will be missed. Thank you for all the good times. Rest in Paradise. 

Always a fun time with you. With the Adoboyz. 

Bob and I worked together from 2015-1017 at PACOM J6.  Bob was a thoughtful, smart and compassionate person.  The kind of leader you want on your team, because they listen a lot and think before they speak.  Bob made me feel reassured as a leader, because I knew that he treated his people with dignity and respect.  He was loyal and kind to everyone.  I can’t imagine how devastated the Maldonado family is.  I am thinking and praying for you. I am so sorry for your terrible loss.

My sincerest condolences,
Kathleen Creighton

Taking photos before driving up to Julian

I met Bob and Sylvia a few years ago at a Club meetup.  He volunteered (and Sylvia) to be the club's games/fun committee and enjoyed setting up trivia games and scavenger hunts for our meetups.  He always joked that he should win the trivia games (that he created) and should win a prize.  So one meetup, I actually did give him a prize :)  

He was a big part of our club  and made every meetup and planning club events fun. I am grateful that we shared the same passion for Tesla, otherwise our paths would have never crossed.  I feel lucky and honored to have known you, even if only for a few years and will always smile thinking about the good times we shared.  


Where to begin....the depth of the emptiness is unimaginable....
The admiration and pride for the man you were, the accomplishments and graciousness of you as human being.
Your selflessness in life--your commitment to serve this country, your family and your beautiful wife.
Words will never suffice to acknowledge my Lovel and  gratitude for you.
I Salute and Respect you Sir..... for your Service, devotion and most importantly for being an amazing man! Love you cous.
OORAH----Until we meet again. 
David Maldonado. 

I will always remember him as little Bobby. I used to babysit him, and JJ,  when he was in diapers.  I enjoyed spending time with him when I lived in California. He brought his parents to my house and we all had lunch and spent a lovely afternoon together. I am so grateful to him for assembling a Maldonado Family Tree several years ago and sharing it with us all. My love and prayers go out to Sylvia, Uncle Bobby, Titi Nellie, Jennifer and her family. 

Bob had a magnetic personality and introduced my wife Jenny and I at a party in San Diego at our house. He is pictured here in our wedding sword arch at MCRD San Diego. Bob just gave the ceremonial Brides' Welcome to the Marine Corps Announcement with a sword tap!  I'll miss you Brother From Another Mother! Jenny, Jaxson and I are deeply saddened for the family and send our condolences and comfort during this difficult time. Love & Blessings! 

Honored to have served and spent time with Bob in the Marines. Photo from Iraq in 2006. 

This was taken at Jennifer's Wedding. I remember laughing and dancing with you and talking about our love for Techno music. 

I was always hoping we would catch up when I visit Hawaii one day. 
I wish we had more time together. 

Cousins: Bobby, Bobby, Jennifer, Melissa

We always had fun visiting our cousins in Long Island. Thanks for letting me ride your fire truck.

We met Bob & Sylvia three years ago now. When we joined a local car club that became more than a club. My husband & I clicked right away with this amazing couple. Could have been the natural Marine pull, could have been that Sylvia is the loveliest person you’ll ever meet. Could be that Bob was the most down to earth, thoughtful, all around nice guy there is. He is the type of Marine that you want representing this country. 

Bob I wish we could have gotten together more. I wish we would have taken you for that drive. I wish we would have gotten together for dinner like we ended up saying after every single meetup. I am grateful that we got the time we did. I’m grateful that you pulled my Marine out of his shell. 

Sylvia Please know that we are here for you. We adored Bob and we adore you. Know you are in my prayers and I’m ready for that drive whenever you are. 

My Handsome Cousin who was taken too soon , You will not be forgotten You will always be The Pride and Joy of our Family , You will be Missed ,Please protect and Watch over us from above.  Love you lil Bobby 

I was blessed with meeting Bob through Sylvia.  Their 'origin' story was a fun one.  Bob showed Sylvia  life's possibilities, swept her off her feet, and brought fun and spontaneity to her life.  That sweeping took her all the way to Hawaii where those of us who missed her dearly in San Diego were thrilled that she had found such a loving, solid, downright upstanding man.  It was a perfect match with Sylvia being one of the nicest, smartest, funniest, and most generous people one could hope for in a friend.  Rest in peace, Bob.  To Sylvia and Bob's family, our hearts break for your loss.

Jody and Paul Pucci

This picture was from the Heinz Deli Bumble Bees . Bobby played with my brother  and my dad coached. On behalf of the Moutafis Family, we extend our sincere condolences. We are all so sad to hear of this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 
With love,

Rose, Bill, Peter, Anna and Stacy

Great times eating our way through Oahu! Bob loved sushi! 

Bob, Jason Moore and I (Brian Fulks) at a football game.  Circa 1999.

Bob and Sylvia at Duke's, Waikiki, Dec 2015.

Bob and I taking a picture at Duke's, Waikiki.

I first met Bob in 1994, while going through the Marine Corps' Officer Candidate School (OCS). Upon completion of OCS, we were both commissioned 2nd Lieutenants and went to The Basic School (TBS) until graduation in 1995.  This was the beginning of along friendship, with time spent with each other off and on over the years in Okinawa  and in the Washington, DC area...several fun trips to Las Vegas for a little shenanigans, multiple football and hockey games in the DC area. 
I had the opportunity to visit Bob and Sylvia in Hawaii Dec 2015.  This was the first time that i got to meet Sylvia after hearing so much about her, and I was so elated that Bob found such a fantastic partner in life.  I was very lucky to have met Bob and have such a good person like him in my life.  So, the news of his passing, leaves a great hole in my heart.  However, every time I think of Bob, I will smile and think of the fun times and the joy that he brought to my life and others.  Bob was a fellow Marine brother, a good friend who will be greatly missed.  Bob, you are greatly missed...I love you brother.

Brian Fulks

I am so sorry for the loss of Bob for your family.  I didn’t know him well, but we worked together on an important work project recently.  Bob was very intelligent, intuitive and easy to work with.  I will miss working with him.  

Colonel (ret) Kasandra Traweek, USAF

You weren’t just a cousin, a best friend, a tequila buddy, or a Godbrother. Above all, you were a genuine, kindhearted, courageous, wonderful, and thoughtful soul. Thank you for showing me a world of Aloha love and sunshine. Rest Peacefully ♥️

Words cannot express the sadness I’m feeling.  Bobby was a great guy all the way around. Everyone loved him, and his family for that matter.  He did his family proud!  Ivy League graduate(Cornell), OCS (officer candidate school), and made a proud career as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Retired, married, living his life.   This shouldn’t have been his time.  He had much more life left to live and enjoy.  They say tomorrow is guaranteed no one.  This maybe true, but it should never have applied to Bobby.  God Bless my friend🙏

David Preston 

Nellie and Bob, I only knew Bobby for a short time. But through YOU, I respected and was grateful for his dedication and sacrifice to me, my family, and this country!! I am soooooo sorry for your loss and I know, this world was better off with him in it!! God made him an angel on earth, and now in heaven!! I PRAY that your memories and knowledge that HE MADE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE, bring your hearts some comfort and peace at this extremely difficult time!!
With love and gratitude,
Carol Riley and Family

I knew Bob on the periphery during the past five or so years, but whenever I spoke with him I felt like I knew him a lifetime.  Aside from simply being a great friend and a great guy with whom to speak, I always enjoyed his observations and point of view regardless of the subject.  Just two weeks ago I called to discuss with him a relatively complex forthcoming effort.  While I called for simple coordination, when I hung up I felt like I gained a great insight based on a few fundamental questions and several semi-humorous quips.  Bob Maldonado was the real deal.  I am fortunate to say that he was my friend. 

Bob was such a fantastic friend and colleague. The island and the communities Bob was involved in both personally and professionally, will be forever changed by his friendly demeanor, his positive attitude, and his unique brand of humor. This is such a huge loss.

Ke Akua pu a hui hou. We love you and miss always miss you friend.

Bob was a great American and close friend.  He and I spoke almost every other day on the phone debating approaches and challenges for delivering advanced technologies to INDOPACOM.   We also shared our passion for cycling and I had the pleasure of meeting Sylvia and his parents.  Bob was always positive and quick with a joke.  Despite his jovial nature though no one would ever doubt his commitment to the mission. 

I wanted to share a story that captures Bob and how much his loss means.  Several years back, I was leading a technical exchange meeting that had become quite contentious.   At about the half-way point in the day I was highly frustrated and about ready to throw in the towel.  Bob recognized this and sarcastically asked me if I needed a hug.  That simple offer was exactly what I needed to re-energize and press-on.  Although we never actually hugged, I wish I could call in his offer today.  I will miss you man!

I was truly shocked and saddened by Bob's passing.  I had the great pleasure of working with him on several projects in my position as a program manager in Air Force TENCAP.  Bob became a friend and trusted colleague that we depended on for guidance and insight.  His sense of humor kept us all smiling and his professional knowledge kept us on track.  It was very clear to all of his TENCAP friends that he loved his country, he loved life and that he loved his family.  You will be sorely missed, Bob.  Rest in peace my friend!   

In direct conversation over the past few years, Bob would slip in brief moments of personal connection, including pride in his wife and laughing about extended family sharing the burden of challenges through a life well-lived and deeply loved by him. He would also let me know that sometimes, I and others were included in his work challenges. With shared laughter, he’d give me some leads and exhort me to do better. I’m grateful for his insights in many regards, and I wish the best to the family who was always at the heart of his stories and the best part of all his memories and accomplishments. 

Jody, our children, and I were shocked to hear about Bob's passing. He will always be remembered as a wonderful commanding officer. He was firm, fair, and passionate and he loved his Marines. Love to his wonderful wife and his parents. Semper Fidelis 

Bob and I in 2017. I came out to Hawaii for a conference and we were able to spend a fantastic day and a half together. I remember hitting a few golf balls out of his backyard onto the fairway of the golf course behind the house.  Or at least Bob hit the fairway…I tried…

Same visit in 2017. Bob, Sylvia, and I went to a beautiful beach. It was pretty windy that day. I remember being struck by how happy Bob was together with Sylvia.

Another great picture of Bob and a beautiful rainbow from the backyard. I can only hope that Bob will be part of every rainbow now.

OBITUARY

Robert Karl Maldonado

August 7, 1972 – January 31, 2023

Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Services

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