Robert Baca

Robert Baca

1926-2023

Robert Baca, age 96, a lifelong resident of Belen, left this world to be with his beloved Lord on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.

A visitation will take place at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 12,  at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a Rosary at 6 p.m. A final visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 13, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

He lived a long, healthy and loving life. Robert was born Dec. 10, 1926, to Filimon and Avelina Baca in Bosque, where he grew up. He was the eldest of five siblings, to include Tony, Jose Ramon, Vangie and Dolores.

Robert was drafted one month after he enlisted into the U.S. Army to serve in World War II, a few months before he would have graduated from Belen High School. After his three-year service in the U.S. Army, he returned to Belen, where he finished high school and married Fidelia “Fillie” Carrillo Baca.

Robert loved Fillie dearly and they enjoyed 73 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised four children, Corine Knecht, Robert, Louie and Paul Baca. He retired from AT&SF Railroad in Belen after 40 years of employment, known as the “cookie monster” because he always had cookies for lunch.

Robert enjoyed listening to and praying the holy rosary several times a day. His devotion to the Lord was genuine, as was his love for his family. Robert enjoyed spending time with family, camping, playing bingo, ushering at the Belen Catholic Church, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, and serving on the supervisory committee for the Belen Railway Credit Union for 20-plus years.

He had a very kind heart, was friends with so many people, and enjoyed having conversations and sharing stories with everyone that would listen. Robert enjoyed playing dominoes and bingo at the Belen Senior Center.

He was recently awarded a Certificate of Honor for being a World War II veteran. Even though, at times, he would fall asleep just sitting in a chair, he would never pass up a cookie, Snicker’s candy bar or a root beer.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; stepmom, Millie Baca; brothers, Tony and Jose Ramon Baca; sister, Vangie Baca; brothers-in-law, Alex Cordova, Manual Peters and Santiago, Celso and Max Carrillo; sisters-in-law, Jennie Cordova, and Frances, Neph and Trinie Carrillo; and great-granddaughter, Lucy Rowe.

He is survived by his loving wife, Fillie Baca; children, Corine Knecht (Jim), Robert (Donna), Louie (Cathy) and Paul Baca (Mary Jo); sister, Dolores Rodriguez (Freddie); 13 grandchildren, Vangie Bender (Jack), Julie Tyrrell (Robert), James and Chris Knecht (Jessica), Elizabeth, Paul Baca (Agne), Leanor Watkins (Jon), Mary Peacock (Jacob), Cathryn Bridges (Brian), Veronica Bautista (Pedro), Rose Smitham (Frank), Paulette Rowe (Stephen) and Joseph Baca (Miranda); 21 great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Matthew, Jason, Luke, Emma, Ava, Ethan, Parker, Brooklyn, Eleanor, Adyline, Birdie, James, Luiza, Millie, Sally, Lily, Mateo, Olivia, August and Cecilia; brother-in-law, Barney Carrillo; sister-in-law, Mary Peters; and several nephews, nieces and long-time friends.

Robert will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially by his loving wife, Fillie. Robert is at rest now peacefully in the hands of our Lord and Father in Heaven.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Evangeline Bender, James Knecht, Julianne Tyrrell, Leanor Watkins, Paulette Rowe and Joseph Baca. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Christopher Knecht, Paul and Elizabeth Baca, Mary Peacock, Cathryn Bridges, Veronica Bautista and Rose Smitham; great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Matthew Tyrrell, and Jason and Luke Bender; and nephews, Anthony Sedillo, Joseph Baca and Tommy Peters.

Please sign Robert’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.