Bernardo V. Rubalcava

Bernardo V. Rubalcava was born in Los Angeles, CA on August 8, 1936. He was the only child of Calixto Jesus Rubalcava of Jalisco, Mexico and Nettie Varela of Arizona, USA. His father had one son before Bernardo and his mother had three daughters. His parents split up when he was about five years old, and he chose to live with his father. For seven years, his father was both mother and father to him. His father re-married when he was twelve years old. He was blessed with another sister and then a brother. He lived with his dad until he married at age sixteen. He had a daughter, Denise, who is now 68 years of age.
At the age of eighteen, he joined the US Navy. He completed boot camp at San Diego, CA and then was assigned to NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL, where he learned a trade. He became an aviation structural mechanic. It served him well. He then was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and served aboard the USS Kearsarge (CVA-33) out of San Diego and then Long Beach, CA.
After his military service, he attended San Jose State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts. In 1963 he re-married and in 1964 he became a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He taught wood shop, metal shop, and print shop. He had two sons, now aged 55 and 57. He wanted to be a teacher since seventh grade. He attended five elementary schools, three junior high schools, and three high schools. He liked school very much and hardly was absent. He taught for the LAUSD for 33 years, retiring in 1997. Until his death, he was thankful for all of his teachers who helped him read, write, and do basic math.
Bernardo enjoyed traveling. He visited friends and family near and far. He especially enjoyed driving and exploring the roads less travelled. However, he would fly and sometimes take a train to his reunions with his Navy buddies. Bernardo was a world traveler. He has been to all over the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, England, Western Europe, Greece, and most recently, to Israel.
Bernardo had an affinity for both children and animals. He had dogs and cats over the years as pets, and he enjoyed his son’s horses. He especially enjoyed feeding and playing with the horses and making them “gourmet” meals. He enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews. More than one claim that he is their favorite tio.
He was a baptized Christian. Although his father was a devoted Jehova’s Witness, he was Catholic for much of his life. In 2012, he was baptized Christian in Chula Vista, CA. In 2018, he was baptized again in the Jordan River while visiting the holy land. He was a member of the Bonita Valley Community Church, where he found fellowship in his Bible study group. The Prime Time Community was his family!
Bernie passed peacefully on October 16, 2021 in San Diego, CA after having a stroke.
Bernie is survived by one daughter, two sons, five grandchildren, and twelve great grand children. He also is survived by one sister, one brother and many nieces and nephews and countless friends.