Roberto Rivera

Roberto Rivera was born in San Nicolas de los Garzas, Nuevo Leon, MX and was raised in Palito Blanco, Texas. He spent most of his adult life in Lamont, Ca. Living on Kenmore Ave. for decades. 

Roberto, aka “Beto,” “Mr. Rivera,” or “Grandpa,” will be dearly missed for many reasons, but, mostly for the joy and laughter he brought to so many; family, friends, and strangers. No matter the situation at hand, he always had something funny, and likely borderline inappropriate, to say to get everyone laughing. His timing and delivery of jokes was impeccable, and he truly embodied a joyful spirit through life’s many hills and valleys. 

For many of his working years, he worked and managed shoe stores, then later owned a shoe store, in Lamont, on Main Street. Many memories were made at that store, though not all of them involved the actual sales of shoes. Roberto always had wise words for whoever stopped by the store. Sometimes the words were kind and gentle, other times he forced people to see themselves by encouraging them to not be ‘a damn idiot,’ but, always with love, a smile, and, of course, a joke. 

That same, sometimes tough, love carried over into his family life. His family was his pride and joy. He treasured his wife, Elena “Guera,” and their children, Fabian, Felix, and Pam. He raised them to be good people of integrity and felt strongly about them learning to spend wisely and to save their hard earned money. He was supportive of their goals and demonstrated his love for them in his own unique ways. 

He enjoyed spending quality time with friends and family, especially when he was watching a Cowboys or Dodgers game. His other hobbies included being frugal (he was ahead of his time with couponing and select-a-size paper towels), smashing aluminum cans into perfect form, breaking down boxes and packaging to fit better into the trash bin, finding and teaching whomever may have thrown an intact box into the trash bin the correct way to do it, being a detail oriented perfectionist, being well dressed, and last, but not least, having flawlessly styled hair, at all times. 

Mr. Rivera was preceded in death by this wife, Elena Rivera, his parents and siblings. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Fabian and Lorena Rivera, Felix and Marisol Rivera, and Pam and Kevin Chou; grandchildren Fabian Jr, Sebastian, Isaac, and Clarisa, great grandchildren Brayden, and many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He didn’t know a stranger and left a mark on so many who live on to treasure his memory. 

All are welcomed to join us in celebrating Roberto’s life. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00pm at Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles Street, Bakersfield, Ca 93306, with Holy Rosary at 6:00pm. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Friday, December 20, 2024, at St Augustine Catholic Church, 10601 Myrtle Avenue, Lamont, Ca, with graveside services immediately following (approximately 11:30am) at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield, Ca 93313.