Reverend Roberto Z. Rigodon

Reverend Roberto Z. Rigodon

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever.  Amen.
Romans 11:36

My Dear Great Ones,
Celia's father Roberto Z. Rigodon passed away on September 17, 2015 after a lengthy illness.  He was 68.  It is truly a testimony to how Roberto lived that he will have three funerals.  The demand from people to pay their last respects has been so great it has to be done this way.  Roberto was a husband, father, reverend and missionary.  He studied and read the Bible and hundreds of Christian theological books extensively throughout his life.  Really he should have been considered for a doctorate degree, so deep was his knowledge of the Bible and Christian theology. Roberto was a founding father of almost twenty churches in the Philippines.  Most of these churches continue today, with some growing so much they have had to add new satellite churches to their fold.  He also lived in Hong Kong with his family and it became his base for many trips into China, where he delivered Bibles and encouragement to hundreds.

Yet, Roberto will be mainly remembered for his loving concern for his family and for the less fortunate in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China.  He was also the spiritual father and mentor of many pastors and others in the Philippines/Hong Kong and his love and wisdom will never be forgotten.  Roberto did the hard work of discipling many.

I personally did not get to know Roberto very well, but his blessing for my marriage to his daughter Celia was a great gift.

Roberto Rigodon reminds me of the great line from, "Its a Wonderful Life."  Near the end of the movie George Bailey's brother proposes a toast to him, "To my brother George, the richest man in Bedford Falls."  He was not referring to the amount of money George had, but to the positive impact he had on his community.  An impact that made everyone's life that he touched better and richer.  Roberto was a man like that.  His faith in God, his deep love for Him, touched everyone he meet in a special way. He stored treasure in heaven and it was priceless.

Rest in peace Roberto and I am sure someday we will be with you in sweet heaven.

God bless you all.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk