SERVICES FOR ROBERT L. UBINAS

Robert Luis Ubinas, a resident of the Northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on June 27, 2023, peacefully at the age of 76.  Robert was cremated and will be interred at his family cemetery, Sunset View Cemetery, in Washta, Iowa.

Robert was born December 7, 1946, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Dr. Jose L. Ubinas and Betty Mae (Williams) Ubinas. He was the eldest of five children. Robert was baptized on November 11, 1951, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. He spent his youth growing up between Santurce, Puerto Rico, the Bronx and Mt. Vernon, New York.

In June of 1966 he married Linda Boothby. Affectionately known as "Papa", he and his wife raised their two daughters in Iowa, Ohio, and Connecticut. While juggling the demands of a family and with the support of his wife, Robert returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa on August 1, 1980.  Pursuing this degree was only fitting for Robert. As a young man he demonstrated the ability to take just about anything apart, fix it, and put it back together in working order including automobiles and motorcycles.  His successful career as an engineer took him on several trips overseas to Germany, China and Romania.

In 1992 Robert accepted a job with Peer Bearing Company where he later met Dina.  On July 2, 1999 they were united in marriage. They built a life of 24 years together in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. Through this union Robert gained a new daughter (Lana) and two grandsons (Michael and David).  Upon retirement, Robert and Dina enjoyed traveling, avoiding the winter months in Chicago, and visiting family and friends across the country.

Of all the places he lived and visited, Robert always considered Washta his home.  During his youth, many summers were spent with his grandparents, Robert and Gladys Williams, spending time with his uncle and aunt, Cal and Virginia Williams, and his 1st cousins.  He embraced the freedom of a small town, and it was these fond memories that drew him back at a minimum every summer throughout his lifetime.

He enjoyed target practice, rebuilding the engine on his father's 1968 Jaguar, restoring multiple SAAB automobiles, researching family history and visiting gravesites and long walks and conversations with his wife, Dina. He had a fondness for cats, a trait common in the family. During his many trips to Washta, Robert would often be seen sitting on his grandparents' front porch, coffee in hand, feeding the neighborhood feral cats and engaged with family members, particularly his cousin, Dennis Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother Jose ("Pete").  He is survived by Dina, his wife of 24 years, his daughter Linda Marie, husband Michael and grandson Adrian, his daughter Jazmin Lee, husband Baseer and grandson Haris, his step-daughter Lana and step-grandsons Michael and David, and siblings Mary Ann ("Cookie") and husband David, and Raquel and Carlos, and nephew Javier.

A private graveside service will be held on August 11, 2023. A memorial lunch will be held at the Family Table in Cherokee at 11:30 for family and friends who would like to attend.