Ruben Lopez Martinez

1947 - 2010

Ruben Lopez Martinez obituary, 1947-2010, San Diego, CA

BORN

1947

DIED

2010

FUNERAL HOME

Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary

4300 Imperial Ave

San Diego, California

Ruben Martinez Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 5, 2010.

"Anything is possible." That is what Ruben Lopez Martinez believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Ruben thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Ruben was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

      Ruben was born on August 30, 1947 at his home in Pomerene, Arizona. His parents were Dora and Arthur Martinez. Ruben was raised in Pomerene, Tombstone and Tucson. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Ruben could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Ruben's family relationships. Ruben was raised with six brothers and three sisters. He had his brothers Gilbert, Manny, Victor, Eugene, Arthur and Frankie; and his sisters Hortencia, Armida and Sara. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Ruben was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young boy, Ruben could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Ruben took part in basketball, football and baseball; however, he truly loved swimming. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. In his spare time he liked reading comic books, playing records, listening to music and drawing.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Ruben enjoyed school, especially when it meant being able to socialize with his friends and classmates. Ruben was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Tucson High School in 1966. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were math and art.

      Ruben was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends' activities and interests, Ruben was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Ruben to be very stimulating company. Ruben's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were Natis Laguna, Rick Gallardo, Alex Baray, Mike Abril, Rene Duarte and Eddie Laguna. Later in life, he stayed in touch with Eddie (Farmer), Natis (Natalia), Rick (compa), David Trejo (concha kids) and of course, Lupe.

      On November 28, 1969 Ruben exchanged wedding vows with Lupe M. Tautimer at St. Augustine Catholic Church of Tucson, Arizona. Ruben was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Ruben was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Ruben was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse's needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Lupe. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that Ruben loved to argue for argument's sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others' feelings, especially regarding Lupe's.

      Ruben's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Ruben was blessed with two children, daughter, Felicia Martinez and son Ruben O. Martinez. They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Dominic Ruben (6 years) and Gabriel Manuel (2 years). Someone who was quick to laugh, Ruben found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

      As a born inventor, Ruben was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Ruben was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Ruben was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was with a public utilities company. He was employed in various capacities for San Diego Gas and Electric for over 38 years. Ruben always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Ruben's "never say die" attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Ruben carried with him into the military. Ruben was an Army veteran. He was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, as well as in Seattle, WA and Oakland, CA; he also served in Vietnam. Ruben saw action for some time during the Vietnam War. Through his hard work and dedication, he earned not only the respect of his fellow service men and women, but also was presented with various awards, including National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He achieved the rank of Private 1st Class (E3/SB4T).

      Ruben's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Ruben was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an "expert" in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Ruben simply couldn't be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were music, dancing, bowling, volleyball and participating as a Little League Coach for Twin Hills Little League.

      Ruben's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. Recreational sports included volleyball, bowling and swimming. Ruben was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Chargers football and Padres baseball.

      Ruben's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Ruben could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout his later years, Ruben was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

      Ruben was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Politically, Ruben was a Democrat.

      Faith and religion were important to Ruben. He was a parishoner at St. Michael Catholic Church for 38 years. During that time, he was an usher for Sunday Mass and assisted with any and all annual festivities at the church.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Ruben. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Ruben to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Cancun, Mazatlan, Acapulco and Las Vegas.

      Ruben passed away on January 2, 2010 at Reo Vista Healthcare Center in San Diego, California. Ruben fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Lupe; his daughter Felicia; his son Ruben O.; his brother and best friend Manny; his nephew Ralph; his daughter-in-law Nicole; and his grandsons Dominic and Gabriel. Services were held at St. Michael Catholic Church. Ruben was laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Ruben. He met the words "it can't be done" with the enthusiastic challenge of a "wanna bet" attitude. Ruben was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Ruben, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Ruben Lopez Martinez, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

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Funeral services provided by:

Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary

4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

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