ROBERT M. CALIX

Robert M. Cálix was born in San Salvador, El Salvador on October 20, 1959. Robert’s mother, Rosie Medina, immigrated to the US, where she worked, while Robert stayed in El Salvador. At the age of six, Robert immigrated to Los Angeles, CA on February 14, 1966, landing at 10:04pm.

Robert was a true Angeleno, who grew up living across the LA area: Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Boyle Heights, Cudahy, South Central and East LA, MacArthur Park, Walnut Park, Huntington Park, City of Commerce, El Sereno, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. Robert graduated from Huntington Park High School before beginning a career in real estate, where he helped build a better LA and sold and rented residential and commercial properties across the area. Deciding to further pursue a higher education, he studied at California State University, Los Angeles before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley to earn his Bachelor’s degree from the Haas School of Business.

After paying his way through college, Robert moved back to Los Angeles, where he met his loving wife of 37 years, RoseMarie Cálix (née Ojeda). Robert married RoseMarie on October 1, 1988, receiving the marriage blessing from Pope John Paull II. Robert’s biggest dream was to have a large family, which he fulfilled with seven children: Victoria, James, Sarah, Jacob, Ricardo de Jesús, Rebecca, and William.

In 1994, Robert pivoted careers to work at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), where he served the LA community as a transportation planner and senior manager for 26 years. At Metro, he continued his dream of building a better LA, and he was known in every department, positively supporting his co-workers and demonstrating his value to the agency. Of his many achievements, Robert was instrumental in the widely successful NextGen Bus Plan, which reimagined the bus system, providing fast, frequent, reliable, and accessible service to thousands of Angelenos.

After Metro, Robert became the Chief of Planning, Strategy, & Innovation at the North County Transit District in Oceanside, CA, and thereafter continued on his own as a transportation consultant, starting his own firm and closely working alongside his close friend, Arthur Sohikian. Robert played a large part in moving transportation into the future, pushing forward the planning and construction of high speed rail in California such as the High Desert Corridor.

Robert was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and fought it valiantly for 6 years, supporting his family until his battle ended on March 6, 2026.

Robert will be remembered for his unwavering desire to help others achieve their dreams, his limitless kindness, his unmatched work ethic, and his paramount devotion to his family and friends. Robert loved his community, hosting the largest and loudest holiday parties on the block, listening and dancing to music with RoseMarie, reading history, partaking in religious debates, and most of all, spending time with his large and beautiful family.

Robert is survived by his wife RoseMarie; his six children, Victoria, James, Sarah, Jacob, Rebecca, and William; and his grandson, Castiel Robert.

The funeral services and Celebration of Life will take place at 11am on March 30, 2026 at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena with burial services taking place at 1:30pm at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills.

All are welcome.