Roberto Saenz

To Roberto Saenz, life was about family. He was the glue that held the whole family together and the rock that never wavered as the storms of life came their way. Roberto was a leader in his community who was always giving of himself in some way while expecting nothing in return. A man who came from humble beginnings, Roberto taught us through his hard work and perseverance that there is no limit to what one can accomplish. He was resilient, fun-loving, and genuine – the real deal in his every thought, word, and deed. Life will never be the same without Roberto here, but all who knew him will consider themselves blessed to have been touched by such an extraordinary man.

As the fifties dawned, there was great joy for one family in Alice, Texas when on June 10, 1950 they celebrated the birth of a healthy baby boy. Roberto was welcomed into the world by his loving parents, Samuel and Santos (Gonzalez) Saenz, and was the youngest of 14 children in his family. As Samuel looked at his children, wife, and job at a local gas company, he decided that he wanted and must provide a solid future for them. With determination, resolve, and a truck that fit all of them as well as a few extended family members, they embarked to achieve the American Dream. This dream began with the long, hard road and toil of a migrant family. Moving from state-to-state and eventually commuting from Texas to Michigan, the state that provided them with seasonal employment year after year in the Shelby and New Era communities.

In 1956, Samuel was faced with making another life-changing decision for his family, which would prove to be pivotal in transforming his family from a migrant family into an educated and very successful family. When Roberto was six, the family settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his father secured employment at a local furniture company. They settled into a home on Broadway Street for two years before moving to a home on Prospect Avenue in 1958 where the family remained for 42 years. As a family, they attended St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, and Roberto attended St. Alphonsus Elementary. It was during his formative years that Roberto developed a few of his lifelong passions: fishing, sports, and creating lifelong friendships. He pursued these passions as often as he was able, regularly fishing with his brothers off of downtown bridges, playing football and basketball at St. Al's, and generally stirring up trouble with his buddies. Roberto went on to Central High School, dedicating himself to his studies, and also held down part-time jobs at a local meat-packing company and a flower nursery.

After graduating from high school in 1970, Roberto continued his studies at Grand Rapids Junior College where he earned his associate’s degree. From there he went on to what is now known as Grand Valley State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in education and later, his master’s in education as well.

Throughout his life, Roberto had a highly decorated career, was a community leader and became active in many corporate and non-profit boards in West Michigan and other states and communities. He began his career as an educator with Grand Rapids Public Schools starting out as a classroom teacher. He held increasing leadership positions as an elementary school principal, program director, administrator, and after 31 years retired as executive director of Human Resources. Retired for only three months, Roberto was sought after to become executive director of Hope Network West Michigan, where he led the organization of over 700 employees for three years. As before, retirement did not agree with him and he then joined his wife's consulting business, La Fuente Consulting (a diversity and educational management firm), in 2009 as managing partner of the education practice.

Life was forever changed for Roberto when he met the woman with whom he would share an abiding love. Her name is Ana Ramirez and they met at a luncheon after being introduced by a mutual friend. After dating for a few years, they married on June 25, 1994, at Plymouth Congregational Church. After a honeymoon in Puerto Rico, the newlyweds briefly settled into a home on Ridgemoore Street, but soon moved to Rockford where they remained throughout the rest of Roberto’s life. They were blessed to raise two daughters, Amanda and Catalina. They were loving, dedicated parents who were actively involved in all aspects of their daughters’ lives. They enjoyed vacations to California, Texas, Baja, Florida, Chicago and many other places to visit family. Extended family meant everything to Roberto as well, and he often gathered with his siblings, his nieces, nephews, and their families. More recently, Roberto was looking forward to becoming a grandfather as his daughter, Amanda, is due to give birth to a baby boy this April.

Although much of his life centered on family, Roberto enjoyed a few other interests, too. He was an avid sportsman who followed football, boxing, and Michigan State basketball. Roberto remained passionate about fishing for salmon and trout, and both bow and rifle hunting for deer. Roberto was the only one we knew who had several outdoor outfits for each sport, and loved to enjoy his outdoor sports at his beloved farm in Boon, Michigan; Loma Linda. He loved to read books about the outdoors as well as both Spanish and Christian literature. Roberto enjoyed classic movies that included his favorite actors, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. He enjoyed a diverse palette of music, especially oldies and Mexican music. Weekends often found Roberto tending to the grill, usually cooking up some fish and steaks, but he also loved his wife's pot roast and anything made by his sister, Olivia.

Life became more difficult for Roberto and those who love him when a sinus infection later turned into pneumonia and other respiratory problems this past fall. By Christmas Day his health had diminished to the point where he was hospitalized. These complications eventually led to several stays in the hospital where eventually an elusive disease deprived him of his family. Roberto was surrounded by his wife, daughters, and the loving family he adored.

No matter what circumstances life brings, each new day forces us to choose how we will spend every moment. It was clear that Roberto Saenz made the choice to embrace each moment while loving all those within his reach. He was resilient, hardworking, strong, and although he was successful in his career, he never lost sight of who he was and where he came from. Roberto was gentle and kindhearted, generous and compassionate, and was purposeful in the choices he made. With what would seem to be the best years of his life ahead, Roberto’s voice was silenced much too soon. He was a beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather-to-be whose legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of the generations who follow him. Roberto will be deeply missed.

Roberto Saenz died on February 6, 2011. Roberto’s family includes his wife, Ana Saenz; his daughters, Amanda (Jesus) Farfan, Catalina Saenz; his brothers and sisters, Amando (Idolina), Samuel (Juanita), Rogelio (Marylou), Tomas (Herlinda), Olivia Saenz, Zulema (Salam) Estefan, Leonardo, Antonio (Anne), Brijida (Dennis) White, Irma DeLaGandara; sister-in-law, Petra Saenz; many nieces, nephews and friends. Roberto was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Maria and Hercilia; and his brother, David Saenz. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 265 Sheldon SE (please meet at the church) with procession to Resurrection Cemetery for burial. Relatives and friends may meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel – Grand Rapids, MI on Wednesday evening from 6-9 p.m. with a Christian Service at 7:00 p.m., and again on Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m. with a Catholic Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial contribution to Roberto Saenz Memorial Fund.