Robert Ray Rivera

Tissue and cornea donor

Age 58 – Whittier, CA

Donated on 06/03/2016

at Keck USC Medical Center

Honored by OneLegacy

Robert had the biggest heart. He was passionate about life and was a great storyteller. He was a mentor to many, living his life with true compassion. He loved sports and music, especially classic rock, and he was an avid Raiders fan. He was married for 37 years to the love of his life. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and now grandfather.

Since 2006, Robert worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles, providing soft skills training for DMV employees. His family knew that he wanted to be a donor, and he actively participated in events like the Donate Life Run/Walk to support donation. When he died after complications following a heart surgery to repair a birth defect, his family did not imagine he could be a donor. Thanks to his gift of life, Robert helped over 40 people across the U.S. through his tissue, bone and corneal donation

Robert’s Story

Robert had the biggest heart. He was passionate about life and was a great storyteller. He could easily strike up a conversation with a total stranger, who would then consider him a friend. He mentored many people throughout his life, living his life with true compassion. He loved sports and music, especially classic rock, and he was an avid Raiders fan.

Born a 1st generation Mexican American and raised in Los Angeles, his careers took him from advertising to managerial roles. Since 2006, Robert worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles. He spent the last six years as a Classroom Trainer, providing soft skills training for DMV employees. He absolutely loved this job and the way he utilized his own life experiences to share lessons about stress or time management.

Robert was married for 37 years to the love of his life. He had immense pride for his daughter and son, often bragging about them to those strangers he befriended! His love for his entire family was undeniable, from teaching his nephews to drive, to offering advice in crisis. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and now grandfather.

Robert had always made his wishes clear that he wanted to be an organ donor. For the past several years, he participated in the Donate Life Run/Walk in Orange County, supporting organ, eye and tissue donation.

In June 2016, when his family lost Robert after a valiant fight, following heart surgery to repair a birth defect, his family did not imagine he could be a donor. When his wife received the call from One Legacy, she didn’t hesitate to accept their request, knowing her husband would want to help others until his last day.

His family is comforted knowing Robert helped over 40 people across the country through his tissue, bone and corneal donation. Through his last selfless gift to this world, they know Robert’s legacy lives on and his heart is at peace.