Robert R. Cardoza
August 09, 1937 - July 18, 2020
San Juan Capistrano California
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Robert R. Cardoza
August 09, 1937 - July 18, 2020
San Juan Capistrano California
Obituary
Robert R. “Bob” Cardoza, 82, of San Juan Capistrano, California, passed away after a long battle with cancer on July 18, 2020, at his home with his family at his side.
Bob was born in East Los Angeles, California on August 9, 1937, son of the late Robert S. Cardoza and Frances Cruz. He spent his childhood surrounded by the love of his large extended family. Bob graduated from Garfield High School in 1955. During high school, and later as a student at ELA Junior College, he was a member of the varsity gymnastic team. While in his teens, Bob was a founding member of the ELA Coffin Cheater Club, a local car club that engaged in volunteer activities helping those who were less fortunate. Bob married Stella, his high school sweetheart, in August 1957. Together they raised two sons, Brian and Perry, who with their wives Susanne and Catherine blessed the Cardoza family with six beautiful grandchildren, Sebastian, Anthony, Cassandra, Aaron, Madeleine and Anna.
He graduated from California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), Pomona in 1964 with a degree in landscape architecture. After graduation Bob worked for the County of Los Angeles, Bechtel Corporation and at various private design firms. In 1971 he co-founded Cardoza, DiLallo & Associates. After almost fifty successful years, the company under its current name, NUVIS, maintains Bob’s vision for excellence.
As an alumnus of Cal Poly, Pomona, Bob dedicated himself to serving his university in numerous capacities. He held positions on many boards and took great pleasure in the leadership roles he held as a volunteer. For his years of dedicated service, Bob was honored with the Distinguished Alumni, College of Environmental Design, Cal Poly, Pomona award in 2003.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is an organization where Bob devoted much of his of his volunteer energy. He served in many leadership capacities and was recognized for his numerous contributions when he was made “Fellow, American Society of Landscape Architects” in 1982. This was a distinguished honor Bob held with great pride throughout his long career.
The California Landscape Architecture Student Scholarship (CLASS) Fund was another organization close to Bob’s heart. He helped establish the scholarship fund in 1980 and served as chairman of the board for many years. He took great pleasure in visiting universities and personally presenting scholarship awards to many deserving students pursuing a career in landscape architecture.
Bob was a tireless volunteer and visionary who wanted to make a difference in the communities where he lived, Cypress and San Juan Capistrano. He generously served on the planning commission of each city and took great satisfaction in his contributions. In San Juan Capistrano he was a member of various commissions and committees dedicated to helping preserve the city’s unique historical and cultural features. He especially supported the creation of a tribal park in San Juan Capistrano on the site of the ancient Indian village of Putuidem that once belonged to the Acjachemen (Juaneño) Nation.
He loved deep sea fishing, photography and traveling. He and Stella traveled much of the world together, the making of many memories along the way. Having grandchildren sometimes join in the fun of travel to faraway places was the joy of Bob’s life.
Bob was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a dedicated and generous professional, and a loyal friend. Along with his sense of humor and broad smile, he was an optimist and a visionary who always saw the good in everyone he met.
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55 responses to Robert R. Cardoza
Diane Chavez says:
August 5, 2020
Our hearts go out to the family. Having Bobby as a cousin was truly a gift. His big heart and love of family made him so special. He always “checked in” by phone and we shared some wonderful discussions and many laughs. He will be missed but I find peace knowing that so many of his relatives have greeted him with open arms. Goodbye for now, sweet cousin.
Gina Lombardi says:
August 5, 2020
Bob, thanks for all the great childhood memories, of the fun with our horse Red, Christmas eve’s and your great landscaping of Mom’s place. We love you and will miss your smiling face. Thanks for making this world a better place for us all.
Love, The Lombardi’s
Jerry Nieblas and Familia Nieblas says:
August 5, 2020
You will be missed and never forgotten. Thank you for always supporting and standing by our Native Juaneno family descendants, our history, historical lands/bluildings, generations old families and everything that was important to us. You were a true friend to us and you never held back on speaking up for us and defending our causes. Your voice has been silenced and you are gone from us for awhile. However, you will LIVE ON in our hearts and will now FOREVER be a lasting part of our rich San Juan Capistrano history! you have left your mark. VAYA CON DIOS good and faithful friend of old San Juan Capistrano. Our deepest sympathy and prayers Stella, sons and family.
Kerri Hatfield says:
August 5, 2020
We send you our love. I think of Mr Cardoza (I suppose I can call him Bob) and see that enormous smile on his, like he always had a secret. Amazing how a person can make you smile and you don’t know why. Thank you for being such terrific friends of my parents and continuing to support my father after the loss of our mother. We’ve all benefited from you both being in our lives. He will surely be missed.
Kerry Ferguson says:
August 5, 2020
Dear Cardoza Family,
It was at the beginning of my term on the San Juan Capistrano City Council that I received a call from Bob lamenting the small investment the city had chosen to make in recognition of the first peoples of our valley, the Acjachemen, also known as the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. A park had been planned at our Northwest Open Space, a 60 acre site that had been the site of the original village of Putuidem. The portion of the space allotted in the design was quite inadequate for sharing the culture and history with residents and visitors.
I met with Bob and two other tribal members that afternoon, and it began a five year quest for the kind of recognition for the tribal history and culture that would help us to understand and appreciate their contributions to our city’s history. As a result, I was able to convince my colleagues at that night’s council meeting to rethink that portion of the project.
Through the ensuing years, Bob was steadfast as we enlarged the scope of the Putuidem Village Cultural Center to over an acre with Kiichas, Ramadas, a place for students to sit and hear stories, and, importantly, a landscape filled with native plantings. I eventually formed a committee comprised of a wide range of tribal members, who worked with Perry and his associates to create interpretive signage, etc. as authentically as possible. Working with Perry was a particular pleasure as, like Bob, he has a gentle and positive way of presenting each step.
My only regret is that Bob was unable to be present when the final approval was given to move forward. Nonetheless, he will be a large and present spirit once it is completed.
Bob was a special part of the mosaic of varied and amazing people who have found their way to San Juan Capistrano. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know him, and I will miss him.
My sincere sympathy and prayers to Stella and all their family,
Kerry Ferguson