Ribera, Robert C.

Robert C. Ribera, 86 of Leesburg, FL, passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida. He was the widower of the late Nivea (Guerrero) Ribera.

Born in Hartford, CT on June 15, 1935, he was the son of the late Carl and Katherine (Polce) Ribera. Robert was a graduate of Bulkeley High School class of 1953 and later served in the U.S. Air Force from (1953 -1957). He then joined the Foreign Service in 1959, retiring in 1987 as a Senior Foreign Service Officer. During his long and storied career, he had postings in Cuba, Germany, Spain, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Kenya and Washington

D.C. He was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Communications in 1984. Following his retirement, he was a court appointed volunteer guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children in central Florida.

Robert is survived by a brother, William Ribera and his wife Pamela of Newington; three grandchildren, Christopher and Michelle, of Porterville, CA, Sage of Broadbrook, CT; a nephew, William Ribera Jr.; nieces, Christine Cassone and husband Pat, Darlene Daly and husband James, and Carly Ribera, all of Newington, Denise Piscottano and Lisa Ruglio of Cromwell and many cousins and dear special friends, especially Robert and Antoinette DeSanto of Weeki Wachee, Florida, and Rudy and Mary Lou Baran, of Wethersfield. Besides his beloved wife Nivea, Bob was predeceased by his son, Anthony; brother, Carl; and grandson, Matthew.

Private services were held in Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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