Cover photo for Richard  Anthony  Rodriguez's Obituary
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Richard Anthony Rodriguez

February 7, 1934 — September 3, 2017

Richard Anthony Rodriguez

Richard Anthony Rodriguez, 83, passed away on September 3, 2017.
Richard Anthony Rodriguez was born February 7, 1934 at his home on McCullough Street in Bryan, Texas. He was born to Paul L. and Consuelo Moncivais Rodriguez. The second of five sons, Richard was raised speaking English and Spanish and learning the importance of family ancestry, as his mother was born in Allende Choahulla Mexico. His mother was very important to him; he looked just like her. He started off his education at Ybarra Elementary School, and then went on to Bowie, SFA, and finally Allen Academy. Growing up with his four brothers, cousins, and neighborhood friends, he loved playing football and baseball. He was a catcher for “The Bryan Bees”, and would often play baseball with his older brother Paul. Richard loved football so much that he used to walk home after the games in the cold from SFA to where he lived on McCulloch Street. His dad didn't want him so involved in sports, because he wanted him to concentrate on his schooling. He was bullheaded, which is why he was nicknamed “Bull” by his Uncle Pete. He continued to play high school football, and he bucked heads with the best, which is where he got another nickname,”Buck.” He was highly respected by his coaches and fellow players. After high school, he served in the United States Army and was involved in the Korean Conflict from 1956 to 1958.
Richard met the love of his life, Beatrice Vasquez at a dance in Caldwell, Texas, where Beatrice grew up. He asked her father for Beatrice’s hand in marriage, but her father refused. They eloped on October 31, 1960 and were married by a justice of the peace. After about 14 years of marriage, they were married by the church at Santa Teresa Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with three daughters: Caroline R. Benavides, Debbie Rodriguez-Montalbano, and Rachel L. Rodriguez. He loved his wife, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to the moon and back! He was always there for his brothers, and liked to lend a hand to the families of his community.
Richard worked for Bryco Co. for sixteen years until he decided to go into business for himself. He opened the first Casa Rodriguez Restaurant at a drive-thru on South College in 1978. From there he moved to Downtown Bryan and he would call his “hole in the wall,” Casa Rodriguez #2. After several years they bought what was once “Gina’s Restaurant”, where they remain to this day. He also owned the Lakeview Club for many years, where he brought many popular musical groups to the area. He and his brother Greg brought the most popular groups from Mexico and Texas to perform here in Bryan Texas, with Promotores USA. He was an active member of Santa Teresa Catholic Church, and was part of the American GI Forum. His family, his businesses, and his church were the most important things in his life.
Richard leaves behind a large, loving family. He will be missed by his wife of 57 years, Beatrice, his daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Francisco Benavides, his daughter Debbie Rodriguez-Montalbano, daughter Rachel L. Rodriguez and Louis Mable Jr. and daughter Kathryn Rodriguez and partner Donna. He had seven grandchildren: Frankie Benavides and his wife Jamie, Joe Manuel Benavides and his wife Jenn, Consuelo Benavides, Lauren Montalbano and Michael Medina, Jamie Montalbano, TJ Rodriguez, and Lucianna Mable. He was blessed with nine great-grandkids as well: Emily, Frankie, Michael, Kyleigh, Benjamin, Elena, Lively, Penelope, and Anthony.  He will also be mourned by his brothers Paul L. Rodriguez and his wife Del, Fred Rodriguez, Greg Rodriguez, Manuel Rodriguez, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his aunts Mrs. Lola Moncivais and Mrs. Angie Moncivais.
Life Celebration Services will begin with a visitation from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 with a Rosary and Memory Sharing Ceremony to begin at 6 PM at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Santa Teresa Catholic Church with interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Celebration Reception at Casa Rodriguez in Downtown Bryan.

The family would like to expend special appreciation and gratitude to Rita Garcia for her dedicated and loving care and to the superior staff at Casa Rod for all of their support and years of dedication.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley Inpatient Facility.












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