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Ruben H. Rodriguez passed away on August 23, 2024, at the age of 81 in San Antonio, Texas. Born on October 31, 1942, in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, he was preceded in death by his parents, Eliud Rodriguez and Bertha Herrera de Rodriguez and great grandchild, Ruben Michael Rodriguez. Ruben is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Myrna Rodriguez; his children, Myrna Rodriguez Esquivel (Carlos), Eliud Rodriguez (Jennifer), and Zelvia Castillo (Alex); 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; his twin sister, Sylvia Rodriguez, numerous nieces, nephews, and his extended family and friends who love him. Ruben came to San Antonio, Texas at the age of 11 and started school as a first grader since English as a Second Language (ESL) was not an option at the time. He grew up at Alazan Apache Courts and was voted ‘least likely to succeed’ in high school. After Ruben graduated from Lanier High School in 1963, he went on to receive his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees in Political Science at St. Mary’s University. Ruben was proof that hard work and perseverance go a long way. Ruben and Myrna’s families grew up together in Saltillo. Their fathers were ‘compadres’. Ruben and Myrna were married by the Justice of the Peace in San Antonio, TX on July 13, 1969, and on August 30, 1969, were married at La Capilla de Santo Cristo de la Catedral in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. In 1968, Ruben was drafted and left for FT. Bliss to serve in the Army. Soon after, he would serve in the Vietnam War, leaving his new bride, who was pregnant with their first child (but neither knew at the time). Ruben would return July 13, 1970, to his new bride and to meet his (15 day old) baby girl for the first time. In 2001, Ruben retired after 20 years at the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) as the Planning and Research Director. His hobbies include watching the Chivas and Cowboys play, listening to music (his favorite song being ‘Gema’), reading poetry (his favorite poem was ‘En Paz’), and continuing to teach both local and federal government classes at St. Phillip’s College (of which he taught for over 20 years). However, his biggest passion was spending time with the beautiful family he helped create. Special thanks go to Fadi Abouzhar, MD, Robert G. Nobles, MD, Fresenius Kidney Care Cumberland, Methodist Hospital, River City Hospice, Center Well Home Health, and Deborah Castanedo for the extraordinary care they provided Ruben. The Visitation, Rosary and Funeral Mass will all be Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala. Visitation will begin at 10:30 A.M., followed by the Rosary at 11:30 A.M. and then the Funeral Mass at 12:00 P.M. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary’s University to the St. Mary’s Annual Scholarship Fund. Ruben enjoyed his time there so much that he and Myrna had their 50th wedding anniversary pictures taken there. When donating, please select that the donation is in memory of someone and write in “Ruben H. Rodriguez, MA Political Science”. The link is as follows: https://alumni.stmarytx.edu/support/give-now/

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Ruben H. Rodriguez

October 31, 1942 - August 23, 2024