In Memory of Robert M Cálix

Spouse: RoseMarie Cálix
Children: Victoria, James, Sarah, Jacob, Ricardo de Jesus, William, Rebecca
DOB: October 20, 1959
Blessing: August 25, 1992
Ascension: March 6, 2026
Seonghwa Ceremony: Mar 29, 2026 9:30 AM CT at 2301 Findlay Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/robert-calix?

Robert M. Cálix was born in San Salvador, El Salvador on October 20, 1959. Robert’s mother, Rosie Medina, immigrated to the US, where she worked, while Robert stayed in El Salvador. At the age of six, Robert immigrated to Los Angeles, CA on February 14, 1966, landing at 10:04pm.

Robert was a true Angeleno, who grew up living across the LA area: Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Boyle Heights, Cudahy, South Central and East LA, MacArthur Park, Walnut Park, Huntington Park, City of Commerce, El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. Robert graduated from Huntington Park High School before beginning a career in real estate, where he helped build a better LA and sold and rented residential and commercial properties across the area. Deciding to further pursue a higher education, he studied at California State University, Los Angeles before transferring to UC Berkeley, earning his Bachelor’s degree from the Haas School of Business.

After paying his way through college, Robert moved back to Los Angeles, where he met his loving wife of 37 years, RoseMarie Cálix (née Ojeda). Robert married RoseMarie on October 1, 1988, receiving the marriage blessing from Pope John Paul II. As an only child to a single mother, Robert’s biggest dream was to have a large family, which he fulfilled with RoseMarie, having seven children: Victoria, James, Sarah, Jacob, Ricardo de Jesús, Rebecca, and William.

In 1991, Robert and RoseMarie discovered the Unification Church through Ted Forbath, Robert’s best friend. Later that year, Robert and RoseMarie met True Parents in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, before True Parents went to North Korea. Robert and RoseMarie were Blessed in Korea on August 25, 1992 (30,000 couple) alongside their Trinity Members - Ted & Reiko Forbath and Rolando & Yi Fang Medina. This strong Blessing connection translated to multiple decades of friendship and memories raising their families together in Los Angeles.

Approximately the same time as their joining the Church, Robert pivoted careers to work at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). At Metro, Robert steadfastly served the LA community as a transportation planner and senior manager for 26 years, contributing to a better planned city with improved bus routes, subways, and infrastructure. He was known in every department, positively supporting his co-workers and demonstrating his value to the agency. Of his many achievements, Robert was instrumental in the widely successful NextGen Bus Plan, which reimagined the bus system, providing fast, frequent, reliable, and accessible service to thousands of Angelenos.

After Metro, Robert became the Chief of Planning, Strategy, & Innovation at the North County Transit District in Oceanside, CA, and thereafter continued on his own as a transportation consultant, creating his own firm and closely working alongside his close friend, Arthur Sohikian. Robert played a large part in moving transportation into the future, pushing forward the planning and construction of high speed rail in California such as the High Desert Corridor.

Robert was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and fought it valiantly for 6 years, supporting his family until his battle ended on March 6, 2026.

Robert will be remembered for his unwavering desire to help others achieve their dreams, his limitless kindness, his unmatched work ethic, and his paramount devotion to his family and friends. He loved his community, hosting the largest and loudest holiday parties on the block, listening and dancing to music with RoseMarie, reading history, partaking in religious debates, and most of all, spending time with his large and beautiful family.

Robert is survived by his wife RoseMarie; his six children, Victoria, James, Sarah, Jacob, Rebecca, and William; and his grandson, Castiel Robert.

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/robert-calix?