On Saturday, October 17th, 2020, Roberto M. Cortina peacefully resigned his soul into the hand of the Lord. Roberto Cortina was born in Camaguey, Cuba on April 9th, 1940.
He immigrated to the United States in 1958 to continue his studies at Texas A&I now known as Texas A&M-University Kingsville. He later obtained a job in Brownsville at Texas Southmost College teaching Modern Languages. He continued his teaching career at The University of Texas-Brownsville now The University Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Roberto Cortina loved his career and would enjoy imparting knowledge in and outside the classroom. He was a student advocate and always had an open door for people who wanted to stop by and talk.  His joyful Spirit and Unique ability of teaching made him liked by all. On December 15, 1983 Mr. Cortina married the love of his life. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Elizabeth Cortina and good father to his son, Carlos Cervantes.  Mr. Cortina was a man of compassion, full of life, and good humor who always had a smile on his face. Mr. Cortina was a simple man but loved by so many. Mr. Cortina loved life and lived it and for that, he will be remembered by all his Family, Friends, and all the people who had the pleasure of meeting him.Â
Roberto Cortina is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Cortina, son Carlos Cervantes, granddaughter Addyson Cervantes. His nieces, Lisa Coombs, Monica Cervantes; nephews: Efrain(Sonny) Cervantes, Hugo Cervantes, and great -grand nieces Ashlee Cervantes, Megan Cervantes, Laisha Cervantes; great-grand nephews, Aaron Cervantes, Cameron Cervantes, Ryan Coombs, and great-great nephews Hunter and Mason Guajardo.Â
A memorial service will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 3 pm to 7 pm. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville. (956) 350-8485
10 Comments
EXCELENTE persona, GRAN ser humano.
Mis sentidas condolencias a su esposa Mary Elizabeth; tambien una gran educadora.
Que tenga el descanso eterno y que brille para el la luz perpetua.
Mr. Roberto Cortina was a good person.
I had the pleasure to know him and talk to him about the meaning of words and the correct translation of words that appeared in The Brownsville Herald. He was loved by his students at TSC because he explained to his classes what he was willing to do for them, to help them be better students. He was a charming man. I will always remember him walking in the Cardenas hallways greeting everybody. He had fun as an instructor and he was very friendly. The students still use the manual he wrote with vocabulary exercises.
My Condolences to the Cortina family! I had the pleasure of being his student in college . Great professor !
My condolences to the family. He was a wonderful professor and wise man. I had the privilege of being his student. Gracias profesor Cortina.
My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and students. He was my Spanish professor back in 1981 at Texas Southmost College. Very nice and funny, really enjoyed his classes. May he Rest In Peace.
QEPD.
Roberto was a friend to to all. At UTB we developed a friendship that will be with me forever. His smile, his honesty with everyone and his advocacy for his students makes him a special person and a special educator. He encouraged students to express themselves and he was never critical of their views. I hold him in high regard and wish more people were like him. I will miss him!
Prima,
our deepest condolences on the loss of a wonderful man. Not only was he family, but I also had the pleasure of being one of his students at TSC. He was a wonderful professor who always brought a smile and laughter to my face. May he RIP.
Joel and Sonya Pena
Querido compatriota,
Nobody who did not live the horrors that you survived can appreciate the strength of your character, one that allowed you to live a productive and caring life, form and raise a loving family, and serve as a model for so many young people. Thank you for everything you did in this life, amigo Roberto. You will not be forgotten.
Jose and Dagma Martin
So sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of being his student in college! Very nice person. You were also my teacher in Faulk Jr. High. It was nice seen you! I have you in my prayers. May he rest in peace! May God bless you too! Rosario (Rosie) Mireles. I work at Russell Elementary
Mr. Cortina was my professor when I attended Texas Southmost College. He was always happy, and ready to help any student. The students loved him. If you saw him in the hallways , he would stop and say hello. He was also a good adviser to many of his students. He made learning fun and his classes were engaging involving all students. After I graduated, I worked in Harlingen. When he and his wife were in town, he would stop by. Still, he remembered me, and it was great to always see him. We always hope as educators, I myself one, would be like Mr. Cortina. He welcomed you into his classroom with a smile, and his humor. The time was pass so fast. His classroom was one, that you wanted to go on for 2-3 hours. Rest in peace my great friend and teacher. You made a huge impact on so many students. You set the bar and standard for what a teacher should be! God bless you , and thank you for all your advise, friendship, and learning. With much love and respect, Javier Olivo, Harlingen CISD teacher
Comments are closed.