Roberto Victor Belis, Sr.

Roberto Victor Belis Sr., 73, passed away surrounded by his immediate family at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, TX on Monday, September 13. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m. at Denton-Wood Funeral Home with Deacon Tony Dominguez officiating.

A Navy veteran, singer, guitar player, yearly Halloween Zorro, "amateur skydiver," red enchilada & menudo enthusiast, self-proclaimed “Origami Sensei,” and longtime Carlsbad & Loving resident, Roberto's purpose in life resided in bilingual education where he enjoyed a 30-plus-year career in ESL (English as a second language), achieving “Teacher of the Year” status at Lee Elementary School in El Paso, TX in 1993-1994.

“When I grow up, I am going to be a teacher," he said to his mother as a child. "Not just a teacher but a good teacher," he continued with the words "Childhood dreams do come true" jotted alongside within his personal scrapbook.

Roberto said the following in his exit letter from Lee that his family felt was appropriate to share and representative of the person that he was:

“Whenever someone asks of me, remember me fondly and tell them that I was a good and decent person. It matters to me. To you who I leave behind, I extend my warmest hug and best wishes. Peace and all good things to all of you and your families. In my heart, you will always be with me."

Roberto is survived by his wife, Isabel; his sister and brother, Becky and Oscar; his four children, Tanya, Roberto Jr., Maribel and Rocio; and his six grandchildren, Astrid, Papo, Blythe, Esteban, Sabine and Matias.