*Robert H Duarte- 10/26/1941-01/10/2026

My dad was the best dad ever. He was a kind, thoughtful and a courageous man that would go out of his way for others. Family was everything to him. He took care of his family like gold.

He wore many hats in life. He was a Rancher , a Butcher, a Realtor, a Police Officer, a husband, a brother, an uncle, and a trusted friend and confidant to family and friends. The most importantly to me was that he was the best father anyone could have. I never went without and always had everything I wanted. Yes, it’s also called being a “spoiled brat”…..but I was grateful for everything he did and everything he gave me. He was a very hard worker; he worked from sun up to sun down but always took the time at the end of the day to check in with me. I always knew how much he loved me and how important I was to him. He was married to my mom, Carolyn for 40+ years until she passed away in 2010. They were the ideal parents and most loving couple. I consider myself as being the luckiest girl in the world.

In 2012, my dad found another wonderful lady, Betty to brighten his days and found happiness again. They had many wonderful years together. They laughed, played and enjoyed life to the fullest. Betty describes him as the “love of her life” and a “wonderful man that treated her the best”. They did some traveling but will be most remembered as the couple that got up in the middle of the night , sat at the kitchen table and talked and laughed like it was the middle of the day. They were definitely on their own time schedule.

Dad was also a grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed his grandsons, Ryan Christopher and Matthew Robert and great-grandsons, Niko Damon and Axel Ryan. They had a special bond and many good memories together. Their hobbies together included fishing, hunting and restoring old cars all while learning life lessons along the way. He once told me that if he knew grandkids were this much fun he would have had them first.

He was always larger than life, a beacon of knowledge that people could go to and trust in. He was always my hero and others looked up to him. He was a quiet, well respected, loved and admired man that truly will be missed. Our world is a better place because of him.

Thank you so much for EVERYTHING Dad and Rest In Peace.