Arthur Rodrigues

Arthur “Art” Rodrigues, a native of California and a Livermore resident for 53 years, died Feb. 16 at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans. He was 73.

Rodrigues was born in Oakland, the middle of three sons. He graduated from Berkeley High, married and had three sons.

After working in a hospital kitchen in Oakland, he worked for the post office in Oakland and then in Livermore. In the late 1960s, he was hired by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a computer operator during the time of mainframe computers. Over time, he became a computer technician, troubleshooter and “jack of all trades” in Bldg. 111. He retired in 2004 after 34 years of service.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Livermore and a deacon and Stephens Minister. In 1989, in that same church community, Rodrigues met and married his forever love, Karla. He adopted and raised her two daughters and later the couple became legal guardians of and raised one of their grandsons, all in the 30 years they shared.

Everyone who knew him experienced Rodrigues as an incredible man.

Rodrigues is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mary Rodrigues, and his brother, Jim Rodrigues.

He is survived by his wife, Karla Rodrigues of Livermore; his brother and his wife, Bob and Shirley Rodrigues of Lake Worth, Florida; his three sons and spouses, Timothy Rodrigues and Alan Mason of Healdsburg; Ted and Didi Rodrigues of Tracy and Tom and Stephanie Rodrigues of Brentwood; his daughter, Denise Rodrigues and daughter and spouse, Debra and Scott Watson of Danville; four grown grandsons, Bradley, Will, Chris and Jose, a 6-year-old granddaughter, Taylor and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 10, at 11a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of 4th and L streets in Livermore. A celebration of his life will take place in the fellowship hall of the church, corner of 4th and K streets following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rodrigues’ name to the Memorial Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 2020 Fifth St., Livermore, California 94550.