Robert Matias Uytingco-Petty Officer First Class

Robert Matias Uytingco, age 87, born on August 19, 1937 in the Philippines, passed away April 29, 2025 in Pleasant Hill, California. Funeral arrangements were under the care of Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, CA. Viewing was on June 6, 2025 and funeral services were on June 7, 2025 at Forest Lawn, Covina Hills CA. Robert was laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Rowland Heights, CA on June 7, 2025. Robert was lovingly known as Ruperto to his family and close friends. He is survived by three daughters, Shirley Uytingco Salas, Romella Lyn Uytingco Edgmon, and Yvette Uytingco and three grandsons, Gerald, Ryan, and Sean. His wife of 55 years, Luisinia, predeceased him in February 2020 from COVID complications.

Robert came from a large family of 11 siblings with a mother and father. He was the 4th oldest child. Robert started working as a young boy to financially help the family, who struggled, as a result of the loss of the family business. The work ethic and generosity that he exhibited as a boy lasted throughout his life by helping others.

Robert was an outstanding student. After graduating high school, he went to college several hours away from home. While in college, he continued to work to pay for his education and regularly sent money home to his parents to help the family household. Upon graduating college, Robert earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He believed that obtaining a college degree would open up financial opportunities for himself and to be able to continue monetary support for the family.

As times were financially challenging, Robert decided to enlist in the US Navy in 1962 at the age of 24. By joining the US Navy, he was able to monetarily help the family and also forge a career for himself. Joining the US Navy was a sacrifice in that he would be gone for several months at a time being deployed on a US Navy ship, unable to be with family and friends. Finally, when he was able to return to the Philippines, Robert married his beautiful long-time sweetheart, Luisinia Labios. As a sailor of the US Navy, Robert was able to petition his new wife to the United States. Over time, Robert would be able to petition more of his siblings and Luisinia’s family. By Robert’s unselfish actions, this allowed other family members to then petition additional family. His initial actions led to many family members obtaining a better life in the United States.

During his 20 year career in the US Navy, Robert held several ranks and had varied duties. For his duty and service in the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Good Conduct Award; Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; and the National Defense Service Award.

During the war, one of his favorite jobs was that of Assistant Chef. Robert was no stranger to cooking. Robert grew up in the family restaurant and bakery business. Robert had a passion for food. As Assistant Chef, he learned to cook foods from countries around the world and share Filipino cuisine and culture with his fellow sailors and officers. During the Vietnam War, his cooking gained attention by the ship’s captain who requested that only Robert prepare his meals. It was a great honor for Robert to be highly regarded by the captain. In his last years in the Navy, he would be stationed at Whidbey Island, WA, where he served as Chef and General Mess Supervisor.

Upon retirement from the US Navy, Robert embarked upon a second career where he worked for the Pacific Bell Company. There he helped customers in providing information and solving their problems. Robert felt that God had blessed him as he had two wonderful careers that provided job satisfaction and financial security for his family. Throughout his career and in retirement, Robert continued to provide financial assistance to his family both in the United States and in the Philippines. As a doting grandfather, he believed in his grandchildren and instilled in them the importance of education that would afford them independence and a better life. He was a proud grandfather who lived to see all his grandchildren graduate from college.

Robert believed that food is life and God will share his forever blessings on those that share a meal with others. Robert prepared a great many feasts at the Uytingco household over the years. He shared his love and happiness in all his dishes. It was Robert’s way of bringing family together, welcoming new friends and old, creating joy and giving thanks. Robert was an outstanding role model, beloved by family and friends. He showed the gift of giving was all the reward anyone needed. Robert was an angel and shepherd. His acts of kindness, selfless love, generosity, forgiveness, and bravery forever changed the course for all those who came after him. Robert life’s work will live on in posterity in the many lives he saved, inspired, changed, mentored, nurtured, supported, and dearly loved.