In Loving Memory of Robert Acuna
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Robert Acuna, who left us on August 11, 2025.
Here are some memories of our staff and words that speak to the impact his life had on LifeROOTS:
“Robert will be deeply missed. He was someone I admired and respected for the past ten years. Every day he brought a smile to work and everyday he would say he’s having a great day and never complain Many people will say the same, but others may not believe it. But with Robert, it was true. We all have our days, and most of us have expressed or shown frustration or worn our hearts on our sleeves, but not Robert. Not once! The definition of consistency.
One day I remember asking him, ‘Do you not get tired? Or have bad days?’ he would always just keep going and going with a smile, no matter the circumstances. With his unique and infectious smile and laugh, he would tell me, ‘Nope, haha’. Never not once did I hear him gossip or talk bad about anyone.
If it was cold or hot, and he saw you walking to the bus stop or home, he would stop with no hesitation to take you home. If he saw you were hungry, he would take you to his favorite place on base, the Shoppete/gas station and buy you a hot dog and a drink. I’ve seen him buy socks and jackets for someone I also knew of someone who got kicked out and was fighting with his girlfriend, and Robert gave him a couch to stay on.
These acts of kindness and love are what I admired so much in Robert. They are rare in this world that lacks this kind of love and kindness. If we can learn or be taught anything from Robert, it’s to love one another and be kind to each other. Do nice things for one another, be a blessing, and not a cursing. Be grateful for life and make the best of every day, even when the crew was short-handed or falling behind at work or it was just one those days, he would always stay cool, calm, and collected. He loved his job, he loved what he did, and he loved the people he worked with.
Recently, one of his friends and even family told me that they would encourage him to retire. He’s set for life, he was financially well off, so why not retire and head into the sunset? But he said, ‘I can’t leave my family.’ His friend made a joke, saying, ‘Who your neighbors?’ He said, ‘No, my coworkers.’
In one staff meeting, I used Robert as an example of a great employee. What makes a great employer? Well, a great employee possesses a strong work ethic and is not afraid to make a positive impact at the company. They are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, excellent leaders, and great followers. A great employee is driven to advance their career and cares deeply about the people they work with and the customers they serve. This was Robert Acuna. I could share countless stories about him for days, but today, we celebrate Robert Acuna as the person and human he was. He will be deeply missed, and his impact and memory will spread throughout the base, especially among those who knew and loved him. I can honestly say that I am a better person and a more productive worker because of the characteristics and traits I learned from Robert. I hope that when I pass away, people will say as many nice things about me as we say about Robert…”
-Loren Payne
“…Robert will be missed greatly! He was an amazing man with never ending patience and gentleness with all the crew members he worked with. May Robert rest in peace and may his memory always bring a smile to all that had pleasure of knowing him. We love you Robert!”
-Andrea Baca
“May Robert rest in peace. He will be missed by all of us. He was inspiring person to all of us.”
-Melissa Siekert
“Robert was a wonderful person, and their memory will live on in our hearts. I’m grateful to have had the privilege of knowing him. He was a very kind person who always made you feel welcomed. Sending my deepest condolences and prayers.”
-Adamary Pena
“Robert will truly be missed. He always cared for everyone he met. He was always happy even the toughest or longest days, and he always smiled and laughed through them all. When I first started working here three years ago, he was very welcoming and caring, making me feel very welcome! It was such a privilege to know him. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family. ❤️❤️”
-Emma Bolivar
“Robert was a kind hearted person who would tell everyone when he walked in to the work place, Good Morning! I am so Grateful to getting to know him. I seen him as an Uncle. He’s the type of person who would give you his shirt off his back if you needed anything. I appreciated all that he would do for us all at work and off the work place. I am Grateful for knowing him, and I appreciated all that he did for all of us. All my Condolences and Prayers go out to his Family and Friends back home.
Robert Acuna – You will be missed and loved by all of your Family here at work.
I don’t believe in saying Goodbye, so I’m going to say to you ‘See you soon ‘
Love Always 👊”
-Michael Vigil
“I had the privilege of having Robert in many of my trainings over the years. I’ll always remember how I would confuse him with Jose and how he would just laugh about it. He always made it a point to stop at the end of training to say ‘thank you,’ often adding a kind, positive compliment that brightened my day!
Robert’s presence brought warmth and encouragement to everyone around him, and he will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. ❤”
-Amanda Montano