Robert Rivas, 79, passed away in El Paso, on Oct. 14, 2025, after a short illness.
Rivas was a 1964 graduate of Devine High School and earned an associate’s degree from Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, a bachelor’s degree in political science and history, with a minor in education from what is now Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Later, he earned a masters in counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
Robert was certified to teach grades 1-12 and Bilingual/ESL. His final assignment worked as counselor at at Laura Steele Elementary in San Antonio ISD. Prior to his teaching career, Robert worked at what is now the Texas Workforce Commission as a vocational counselor.
Robert took up several hobbies after an early retirement, practicing and studying until his work was at a professional level. He took classes in woodworking, photography, welding, construction and aluminum casting at his alma mater Sul Ross, in Alpine. After moving to El Paso to be with his wife, he filled their home with Mission Style oak furniture he made. He also made small pieces for family members. In El Paso, Robert took classes in ceramics and made glazed crucifixes, crosses, candle holders, figurines, and more. He taught himself landscaping and concrete work by studying books. Once he mastered those skills, he designed and built a retaining wall and xeriscaped the yard at his home, with concrete pathways.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sylvia Rodriguez Rivas, of El Paso; a son, Michael Rivas, of Tacoma, WA; sisters Carmen Danna (Frank), of Castroville; Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez (Gil), of Austin; Guadalupe L. Rivas, of Austin; a brother-in-law, James L. Smith of PA; four grandchildren; nine nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Ramón M. and Henrietta Lopez Rivas; three sisters, Irma Rivas Estrella; Henrietta Rivas Smith and Connie Rivas Brown; and nephews Baby Boy Brown and Paul Danna and great nephew Bobby Kahmer.
A rosary in his memory will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devine at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2025. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. following the rosary.
Robert Rivas
