Robert Gonzalez Sr., 80, of Marfa, Texas, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in El Paso, Texas.
Rosary will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, TX-17 in Fort Davis, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Davis, Texas, officiated by Father Angel Aguilar of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Full military service will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Fort Davis, Texas. Arrangements are by Eternity Funeral Home.
Robert was born in Fort Davis, Texas, to Eduviges Gonzalez and Merced Faye Dutchover on March 5, 1944. He went to school in Fort Davis, Texas, and soon after graduation he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Germany as a AC&W Radar and Radio Repairman. He married Eva Aguilar on March 15, 1969, in Fort Davis, Texas. He worked for The University of Texas McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas, for 27 years. While at McDonald Observatory, he worked on NASA’s Lunar Laser Ranging Program. He was a sharp laser shooter, beaming a laser from the 2.7-meter Harlan J. Smith Telescope to reflectors placed on the moon by Apollo Astronauts, measuring the distance between the earth and moon. His fellow colleagues have said he was one of the “Best Laser Shooters in Texas.” He and his wife owned Gonzalez Exxon and Liquor Store in Marfa, Texas.
Additionally, he also worked for the U.S. Customs Service for 10 years, working at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California, U.S. ports of entry in Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas, before retiring. Throughout his life, Robert brought joy and laughter to those around him with a cheerful demeanor. He was a passionate reader, reading a book a day. Due to his work at the observatory and his joy of golfing, he earned the affectionate nickname “Moonman” on the golf course among his friends and family.
Robert is preceded in death by grandmother Abelina Dutchover, mother Merced Faye Montanez Olivas, sister Lorena Huerta, and brother Dan Olivas. Robert is survived by his wife, Eva Gonzalez; children Edna Elizabeth Lara, Robert Gonzalez Jr. and Hector Gonzalez; siblings Marcelo Olivas, Adam Olivas, James “Jimmy” Olivas; grandchildren Ryan Tucker Gonzalez, Aaron Blake Gonzalez, Maddox Mateo Gonzalez, Samantha Elizabeth Lara-Cobos, and Sebastian Seth Teran-Gonzalez.
The pallbearers will be Freddy Aguilar Sr., Luis Aguilar Sr., Jerry Wiant and Edward Dutchover. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ernest Villareal and Pete Salgado. The family of Robert Gonzalez, Sr. would like to sincerely thank family and friends for their love and support during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Robert Gonzalez Sr. Your light will continue to shine in our hearts forever.
