Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez was born on January 8, 1934 to Francisca and Esmeraldo Rodriguez, in Brooklyn, NY where he lived, worked, and was educated. After graduating from high school, Bob joined the United States Marine Corp on August 12, 1952. After Basic Training, he was shipped out to Korea as an Infantry Rifleman. He spent 3 years in Korea and after the war, he served another 3 years as a Drill Sergeant. Bob loved being a Marine, excelled as Drill Sergeant and ultimately held multiple posts.

Bob earned several medals, citations and ribbons while serving as a Marine. His most honored recognition included receiving a Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

Bob returned to Brooklyn following an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corp. He began his career with the New York City Police Department in 1962 while pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. After numerous citations for his arrest record during the early years of his police work, he was recognized and promoted to Detective. One high profile arrest occurred during the latter part of September 1972, when Columbia University Professor Wolfgang C. Friedman was fatally stabbed. After intensive work, Bob and his partner, Detective Charles Hall, arrested a 23-year-old man and charged him with homicide. Bob was appointed by the New York City Mayor and Chief of Police to lead Special Task Force Units until his retirement in 1982. Later that year, Bob joined the Federal Defenders Office of Legal Aid Society as Chief Investigator, until his retirement 15 years later in 1997.

Although Bob had worked his entire life in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, he moved with his family, from Brooklyn to White Plains in 1974. Bob was regularly active in his communities, working with youth programs in many areas and coaching kids in baseball and bowling. Bob loved sports and was an active soft ball player for both New York City Police League and Greenburgh Men’s Leagues. As an avid bowler, he was a member of the Senior Professional Bowling Association. As the talented sportsman that he was, Bob bowled several perfect 300 games throughout his multiple decades of bowling – the sport he loved to play the most.

Bob loved music and dancing, especially with his wife, his sisters, family, and friends. He was always the life of the party. From his time in the Marine Corps, through decades of vacations with family and friends, Bob genuinely enjoyed traveling. He was excited to share to all who would listen, about the international locations that he had visited.

Bob wore many “hats”. He was “Pops” or “Dad” to his children, “Bobby” to his siblings and “Rod” or “Bob” to his friends. Bob loved life, he loved his friends and more than anything, he loved his family. Bob passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021 with family by his side and in his adopted home state of Florida.

Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Rodriguez, his children, Yolanda Rodriguez, Wanda Rodriguez, Robert Keith Rodriguez, Hector Aponte, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, godchildren, extended family, and a host of wonderful and loving friends.