Robert Joseph Gonzales

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the U.S. congress. He began His speech with a powerful declaration saying: Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date that will live in infamy…

On December 7, 1973, Robert Joseph Gonzales was born to Robert Gonzales and his wife Mary Ann. From that day forward, his father became known as Big Bob and Robert Joseph would forever become Little Bobby. I used to tease little Bobby every year on his birthday by pretending that I had forgotten what day it was. Every December 7th he would ask me if I remembered what day it was. I would tell him it was Pearl Harbor Day and he would get all frustrated. That was our fun little ritual until December 7, 1993 when Big Bob passed away. Little Bobby’s birthday became a bittersweet occasion for him after that because of his father’s death. Last week on December 7, 2023, our little Bobby went home to be with the Lord and to be reunited with Big Bob and so many others that he loved and who loved him. The Lord graciously came for him and he left us with no suffering or struggle and we are grateful for that. December 7th is a day we will always remember.

Bobby is survived by his brothers Carlos and Arthur, his mother Mary Ann and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Our family wishes to thank all those who came to see Bobby in the hospital. We also want to express our appreciation to Ben, Bobby’s case worker at Inland Regional Center who was with him when he became ill. In closing, we thank Cissy and Bree, the amazing staff at Walker Family Funeral for their help during this difficult time.