Roberto C. Martinez, born in Arroyo Seco, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 10, 2016, surrounded by family who loved and adored him so much. A graduate of Taos High School, Roberto joined the Army after graduation, and upon his return he attended the St. Michael’s College in Santa Fe where he received an undergraduate degree in elementary education and later a Masters in education administration and his EDS from the University of New Mexico. Roberto was a committed and dedicated educator and leader, having begun his teaching career at Tres Piedras and then with the Santa Fe Public Schools at Kearny Elementary, where he also coached his team to city championship. He also served as an Assistant Principal at Kearney Elementary and eventually served as Principal at Atalaya Elementary and Agua Fria Elementary, and as the Superintendent of Elementary Education. Upon his retirement from the Santa Fe Public Schools, Roberto worked for the Office of Indian Education Programs and Bureau of Indian Affairs as Principal of Taos Day School at the Pueblo of Taos for fourteen years. After retiring from Taos Day School, he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs were he would go to various bureau schools to help reorganize and revitalize their educational institutions. His true passion for education continued as he became an active volunteer, special educator and substitute at Pinon Elementary and as an art volunteer at his daughter’s school in Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School at Tesuque Pueblo up to his death. Roberto was recognized for his his many years of service to both the Santa Fe Public Schools as well as from the Office of Indian Education Programs and Bureau of Indian Affairs, were he was named the Elementary Principal of the Year, and was named the Administrator of the Year by the National Indian School Board Association. In addition, he was recognized as a Founding Member of the SFIYBP Youth Basketball Association in Santa Fe, which was founded in 1972.

Roberto is proceeded in death by his parents Juanita and Maximiano Martinez, his sisters Eliza (Damian) Archuleta, Soledad (Loren) Anaya, Elvira (Albert) Sahd, and Raquel (Joe) Garcia, and his brothers Jose (Ceoba) Martinez, and Levinio (Betty) Martinez. He is survived by his brothers Epifanio Martinez and Palemon (Neoma) Martinez, his partner Janis Devoti, son Terry (Holly) Martinez of St. Charles, MO, daughter Veronica (Chris Sanchez) Martinez of Santa Fe, NM, son Rick (Bertha Blanco) of Tucson, AZ, grandchildren, Joshua, Desiree, Lauren, Kayla and Abby, and great-granchildren Brandyn, Cameryn, and Alaigha, as well as many nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly.

Public visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 5 PM with rosary to follow at 7 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.