Hector Eulogio Rodriguez

Hector Eulogio Rodriguez, age 80, of Tampa, Florida passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2016, surrounded by his family. Hector was born September 13, 1935, in Havana, Cuba, the older of two children.

Hector met the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Flor Rosa, in March 1960 while working at Pan American Airlines in Havana. They married August 5, 1960. Due to growing political turmoil in Cuba following the Communist Revolution, they fled to the United States in October 1960 and eventually became US citizens.

Hector worked with the Tampa Tribune in the graphics department from 1960 to 1962, but then moved to Miami where he worked for various companies from 1962 to 1966, including Modern Age Furniture and SunLife Insurance. Hector and Flor returned to Tampa in 1966 where Hector found work as a graphics artist at MacDill Air Force Base. He was awarded the highest honor given to a civilian in the federal government and eventually became the Chief of the Graphic Arts Department with what is now U.S. Special Operations Command. He retired in 2001.

Hector earned a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts from the University of Tampa in 1970 while working full-time and with three small children.

Hector became an avid runner at age 40 (after quitting smoking) and ran his first marathon at age 65 (January 1999).

Hector coached both of his sons in baseball at Skyway Park Little League and Temple Terrace Little League.

Hector is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Flor Rodriguez; his four children and their spouses: Hector M. (& Candy) Rodriguez, Flor Jeannette (& Brian) Sanderson, Carlos A. (& Lauren) Rodriguez, and Suzanne C. (& John) Stemmerman; six grandchildren (Kinsey, Vincent, Evan, Jarrod, Kurt & Sophia; his sister, Norma E. (& Manuel) Coto, his aunt, Serafina Gonzalez; his wife’s brothers and their wives: Manuel (& Gloria) Garcia and Dr. George (& Pamela) Alvarez; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins in California, New Jersey, Virginia and Florida. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to his exceptional caregivers: Martha Avila and Maritza Ricardo.

There will be a memorial service at Garden of Memories Funeral Home on Saturday, May 7th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Hector’s memory to one of his favorite charities: Shriner's Hospital for Children, the Wounded Warrior Project and/or Voices for Children of Tampa Bay.