Five Years! I'm still waiting for you to walk around the corner, to greet me with that amazing smile that expresses all the happiness we've found together. I know that you're beside me and I find you in music, when my children recall special times with you and are sad with me that you aren't with us. What a gift it was to even have a short time together. I'm grateful for all the wonderful memories that continue to help me through each day. I love you.
Robert (Bob) Juan Arboleda passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 in Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Faith Arboleda. He is survived by his loving wife Judy; his children, Bobbi (Travis) Hillen and Scott (Christie) Arboleda; grandchildren, Steven and Sean Hillen; his siblings, Rich (Aila) Arboleda; Keith (Bev) Arboleda; Donny (Murna) Arboleda; Faith Ann Stumvoll and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was born February 13, 1943 in Minneapolis, MN. His family moved to Pine River, MN in 1944. An amazing family adventure occurred in 1956 when Emmett was stationed in Guam for the Navy and the family moved to the other side of the world. The family returned to Pine River, MN in 1958 and Bob graduated high school in 1961. He graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1966 with a degree in Political Science and History. In 1966, he accepted his commission in the Marine Corps.
Bob had a decorated military career in the Marine Corps. He served two tours of Vietnam. In 1967 – 1969, Bob was a 1st Lieutenant for the First Division, Ninth Marines. He was in the Battle of Khe Sanh. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation from his time in Vietnam. During his service Bob was stationed in Quantico, Camp Pendleton, Des Moines, and Camp Lejeune. In Des Moines, as a Captain, he started the first Marine Corps National Guard (4th Marine 4th Medical Battalion). In April of 1976, he was called upon by the nation to be the causality officer for one of the last soldiers to fall in Vietnam, Lance Corporal Darwin Judge of Marshalltown, Iowa.
In 1978 he left the Marine Corps and was hired by Detroit Diesel as a production supervisor. His travels within the Detroit Diesel organization were far and wide as he worked his way from the supervisor role and other jobs to his greatest passion of engineering. He worked on the Series 53, 71, 92, 149, 2000 and 4000 Diesel engines. In 1991 Bob completed his Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering at Eastern Michigan University.
Bob lived in Brighton, MI from 1982 - 2012. While in Brighton he pursued one of his lifelong dreams and received his private pilots license in 1985. He retired from Detroit Diesel in 2006. He spent time with his family, grandchildren, and friends and enjoyed fishing for the next several years.
In 2012, Bob reunited with Judy Filibeck, his high school sweetheart. They were married in 2017. Bob and Judy had wonderful adventures together. They enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places together. They settled in Tucson, AZ but traveled back to Pine River, MN for the summers.
Bob will be deeply missed by many. His family, friends, military and Detroit Diesel family will miss sharing his zest for life, tremendous times fishing, his stories, his laughs and his love for all of us. It was an honor to share his life.
Please join us in celebrating Bob's amazing life by attending a celebration of his life 2PM June 22nd, 2019 in Pine River, MN at Kline Funeral Home, followed by a reception at the Pine River American Legion.
Should friends desire, donations may be made in Robert Arboleda's name to one of the following organizations:
Khe Sanh Veterans Organization: Khe Sanh Veterans
Wilderness Canoe Base via Camp Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp
Tributes
Leave a tributeFive Years! I'm still waiting for you to walk around the corner, to greet me with that amazing smile that expresses all the happiness we've found together. I know that you're beside me and I find you in music, when my children recall special times with you and are sad with me that you aren't with us. What a gift it was to even have a short time together. I'm grateful for all the wonderful memories that continue to help me through each day. I love you.
I was so sorry to hear the loss of Bobby. I was excited when I learned that the two of you were together. I can't express my sadness that you and Bobby had such a short time together.
In my thoughts and prayers,
Sue Carlson Skjong
I heard about your husband's passing from a mutual friend, in COTS.
I'm sorry for your loss since I knew you were elated about reuniting with Bob. I never met him, but am sure you both enjoyed a few years together again.
Like you, I found love again a second time, but mine also passed away too quickly, Nov 29.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.
Love leaves memories no one can steal.
Love you
Jane
I am so sorry for your great loss. When I have gone through times of grief, this promise from our Creator has brought me comfort. He promises us a time in the near future when mourning, outcry, pain, and even death itself will be no more. (Rev. 21:4). I hope this thought will bring you some solace as you grieve. My deepest condolences.
Countless stories talking about his childhood growing up in Pine River the crazy mischievous gags and pranks he and his brothers undertakings.
-Bob would sit for hours telling us stories about his experiences in Vietnam I
remember him saying at one point in time he talked to someone about a
documentary about one of the battles in Vietnam.
Bob asked Cass to help him move his family from MN to MI they accomplished the move in 3 days. That was Bob - get it done! He had a great work ethic and passed that to Bobby and Scott.
We made a few trips to Pine River and as always, Bob was the Educator of Nature and Land. Eagles, turtles, fish, wild rice, Indian tribes you name it he knew about it - he was a wealth of information. He even harvested the black rice by his property and brought it back to MI for me. He was so excited when he told us about reconnecting with his high school sweetheart Judy. You could tell in his voice how happy he was. Bob showed his love through his actions and stories.
It is with a heavy heart remembering our dear friend Bob an honorable, generous loving man. Rest in Peace, until we meet again. We love you
Ugo J Abate
- Going fishing with Mr. Arboleda at the family cottage in Pine River...the fish were really biting and we caught some good sized northern pike and walleye. I remember Mr. Arboleda teaching me how to gut the fish and he grilled them up. We ate well!
- Visiting his relative's farm in Minnesota and being taught how to slaughter chickens...definitely something I will never forget!
- Mr. Arboleda and Scott would come visit my dad and me on the occasional Friday night when we were younger. Scott and I would play while our dads would talk over a few beers. Good times.
- Hearing some of Mr. Arboleda's intense war stories...not for the faint of heart!
That's really just scratching the surface. Mr. Arboleda was a great friend to me and my family and will truly be missed.
He would stop by when coming to visit Scott and always brought some fresh caught fish from Minnesota. What a guy!!!!!!
Leave a Tribute
Five Years! I'm still waiting for you to walk around the corner, to greet me with that amazing smile that expresses all the happiness we've found together. I know that you're beside me and I find you in music, when my children recall special times with you and are sad with me that you aren't with us. What a gift it was to even have a short time together. I'm grateful for all the wonderful memories that continue to help me through each day. I love you.
Sending you my love to you on your birthday
Larry and Bob were so close in age
TBS roommate
Bob, Vern Arndt and I were roommates at TBS in 1967. Bob was married and lived off base. Therefore he didn’t spend many nights in our room except when we had night exercises or something very early in the day. Consequently we didn’t get to know Bob as much as we would have liked. Based on all the memories and stories posted on his memorial, we really missed out.
I remember him as a tough little guy with no quit in him. He was quick to smile and had a good sense of humor. I could tell by the gleam in his eye and wry little smile that he was definitely full of it.
After TBS, everyone went separate ways, but we all ended up “over there.” We were young and gung ho and in spite of all of our training, had no real idea of what we were in for. Vern and I both did our tours in Viet Nam as 0302 (infantry) platoon and company commanders, the same as Bob. After 50 years those experiences are still vivid in my mind. Bob did TWO tours which I can not imagine and I salute him. Bob, Vern and I were among the lucky ones who came home to marry, raise children, enjoy grandchildren and live a full life. I thank God every day for all that He has given me in my life.
My sincerest condolences to Judy, Scott and Bob’s other children and grandchildren.
May God grant you eternal rest Bob and bring peace to your family.
Rich Andrews
Alamo, CA