Ruben Romero

January 13, 1948 - February 20, 2021

SAN DIEGO — Ruben was born in Tijuana, BC Mexico Jan 13, 1948 and spent his early childhood in San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, California. He graduated from Castle Park High School, Class of 1967 and was a member of the Varsity Track and Field and Cross Country teams and Sports Editor of the School Paper. As a US Army Combat Veteran with service from 19681974, including service in the Vietnam War, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal,

Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal and the Warriors Medal of Valor from the Native American Nations of the United States of America. After his military service he worked as a shipyard foreman and pipefitter, mechanic and woodworker and in his later years as a volunteer counselor to fellow Veterans.

He passed on February 20, 2021 in San Diego due to complications from end stage kidney disease and is survived by Wife: Cathy, Sons: Paul, David, Jesse

and William, Daughter: Valda, Grandchildren: Lauren, Vivian, Olivia, Joaquin, Isobella and Nerys, Brothers: Roy and Tony, Sisters: Mary and Rose.

Services: Private ceremonies including Military Honors at Miramar National Cemetery on Friday May 21st and a Burial at Sea ceremony on Sunday May 23rd.

Ruben had a powerful personality with an understated gentleness and generosity of spirit combined with an intensity in the eye and a formidable will that made him a presence wherever he was. Though he was undeniably changed by experiences in war and the pain that comes with them, including the emotional scars, PTSD and physical disabilities which affected his life greatly, the power of his true nature never faded but rather shined forth into the world and to his loved ones in his own unique way with that deeply resonant voice that gave you a sense of comfort and acceptance to hear it and his infectious smile that took every inch of his face and warmed your heart to see it. This is how he will be forever remembered and also why he will be deeply missed by us who grieve his passing and mourn his loss. The joy he took in family, the pride he took in work and the peace he sought while running with the wind and taking to the seas to fish God’s great ocean, whether from the deck of his brother Roy’s boat, off the Imperial Beach pier or in that more spiritual way of a man who is connected to the deeper and more mysterious currents of life, all rest with him now, eternally. Goodbye for now Ruben, Beloved Father, Husband, Brother, Son and Friend.

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