Robert S. Marquez

Robert S. Marquez
October 19, 1931 ~ October 29, 2021 (age 90)

Robert S. Marquez, 90, of Albuquerque, NM, passed into God's waiting arms Friday, October 29, 2021. Robert was born October 19, 1931 in Marquez, NM, to Eliseo and Petrita (Sandoval) Marquez. Robert's story begins in the small community of Marquez, NM where his family ran the Post Office, a small store, and housed the local priest. Robert graduated from Albuquerque High School; attended college at the University of Alabama and UCLA; receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration majoring in Accounting from the UNM; then MBA and a PhD in Business Management from the California Coast University. He loved to learn and frequently took courses either in person, distance learning, or online. He even registered for an online class the day he passed.

On November 21, 1964, Robert and Charlotte Chavez married and made Albuquerque their home. 5 years later, they had one daughter, Carla Roberta. Even with his professional successes, Robert believed that his greatest success and priority was his family. He believed that family was both his rock and his drive. Wedding receptions were always a treat for family and friends as they would gaze in awe as Robert and Charlotte danced. Robert and Charlotte were just days short of celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary.

Robert was dedicated to immersing himself in service to family, the community, church, and civic minded opportunities. He served in the Air National Guard Reserve, was a devout Catholic, and a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Assembly No. 682 in Albuquerque NM. He volunteered his time and professional skills as Treasurer of the NM Democratic Party, the Bernalillo Democratic Party, and American Association of Spanish Speaking Certified Public Accountants and 24+ years on the Finance Committee at Our Lady of the Assumption. As a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants, he engaged in the peer and quality reviews for both organizations.

As a proud member of the AICPA State Legislative Committee, Robert successfully spearheaded the effort to change New Mexico's Joint Tenancy Property laws to "Community" Property in 1984. He was regarded with enthusiastic respect by legislators, peers, politicians, and the community.

Robert has been practicing public accounting since 1955. After receiving his BBA degree, he worked for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Years later, he partnered with Benjamin Caron and launched their own firm. In 1968, following Ben's passing, Robert established his own firm.

When Congress expanded the Small Business Administration 8(a) program to include small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, Robert's firm was accepted and recognized as New Mexico's first Hispanic owned 8(a) consulting firm with a niche in governmental audits. Over Robert's career he was awarded various governmental contracts providing auditing services to Federal and State agencies. This work took him from coast to coast, including Alaska and Hawaii. Occasionally with wife Charlotte and daughter Carla in tow. In 2018, Robert was recognized for serving 50+ years as a CPA by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.

Robert's jovial personality, contagious laugh, and a contagious sense of humor often made him the life of the party. In the past few years, during medical appointments, he was asked for his birthdate. His response would always be, "When the Statue Liberty was dedicated. She might be older, but she looks better than me." His birthday was close to the dedication date but not on the actual date. Mere hours following his passing, the family returned home and turned on a national news channel. The first story was about the celebration of the 135th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty dedication. He is still making us laugh.

Robert is survived by his wife Charlotte of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Carla Roberta and husband James Robert Walton; grandson Patrick Robert Lamb; great granddaughter Melodie and her mom Shazda; great grandson Rulon; great granddaughter Sarah; sister Frances Martinez; sister Rita and husband Anastacio Marquez Jr; sister Rosalie Pichette and Mr. Lynn Turpin; and nephews, nieces, and cousins. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Eliseo and Petrita Marquez; and his brother-in-law, Jake Martinez. Robert will be deeply missed by family, friends, and clients.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Martinez, Peter Kapitzke, Scott Kapitzke, William Wheeler, William Pichette Jr., Kristopher Pichette, Anthony Pichette, and Aaron Pichette.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at French Funerals - Lomas Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE. A Rosary will be recited at 1:30pm with a Mass to be celebrated at 2:00pm on November 12, 2021, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, the corner of Lomas Blvd and Tennessee NE. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.