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Robert L Yniguez, age 66, died unexpectedly on Aug. 18, 2015 in Chandler, Arizona.
Robert was a great family man and a loving father.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart/wife of 45 years, Mary Frances; son, Robert (Nikki); daughter, Larissa; brother, Henry (Rosanne); sister, Veronica (Alex Apodaca); grandchildren, JJ and Victor Mariscal, Diego and Niko Yniguez; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Epifanio and Celedonia; and his sister Kelly.
Robert was born on May 3,1949 in Sonora, AZ. He grew up the eldest of four and attended Superior High School. Robert attended and played basketball for Mesa Community College. He furthered his education at Arizona State University and received a Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies in 1971 and a Masters of Arts in Counseling in 1973. He started his career at Tolleson High School in 1971. He then worked for the Tempe High School District, teaching and coaching at both Marcos de Niza and McClintock for more than 40 years.
Robert was a social, active man, a great mentor who was deeply involved in education and coaching for the majority of his life. He was a member of the Arizona Coaches Association for over 25 years, serving on the Board of Directors, as well as VP. He has received numerous coaching accolades, including Arizona Republic Coach of the Year in 1980, when his team won the State Championship. He was inducted into the Arizona Coaches Association High School Coach Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Arizona Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He enjoyed watching sports, especially ASU football, music, dancing, cleaning, traveling, hunting, camping and spending time with family. His family and friends will always remember him as a proud Hispanic man that was generous, loyal, loving and larger than life. Robert was everyone’s rock; his broad shoulders provided support for family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at St. Andrew the Apostle, 3450 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, AZ 85226. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. and funeral services at 10 a.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Robert’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Phoenix Children’s Hospital (www.phoenixchildrensfoundation.org) or Barrow Neurological Institute (www.supportbarrow.org).
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