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RIVERA -- Robert L. Rivera died on May 6, 2010. He was born the third of five children to Manuel and Vina Rivera of Old Town, Albuquerque. He graduated from Valley High School in 1966; moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked as an engineer's aid at the California Highway Department. He married and had a son named Marc Anthony Rivera. Robert returned to New Mexico with his son Marc and attended UNM. He moved back to California, enrolled and graduated from the University of California at Irvine in 1975. That year he created pre-school curricula, wrote and published children's books at La Escuelita in Oakland, California. He enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), and in 1978, he graduated with his law degree and moved back to New Mexico. He served as a New Mexico Supreme Court clerk for Justice Dan Sosa and became a member of the New Mexico Bar. He worked as an associate attorney for the Bigbee Law Firm in Santa Fe, and later he practiced law with Ernest Valdez and as a solo practioner in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. He also served as the executive director for the NM Mining Association. Robert loved politics. He was elected chair of the Santa Fe County Democratic Party; he also served as a member of the Democratic National Committee. Most of his professional life was spent lobbying and writing on matters of public policy and regulatory issues in Santa Fe. He had a keen mind, an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor. He is survived by his son Marc; longtime friend, Yvonne Sanchez and her daughters; siblings Charlotte Walton, Geraldine Rivera, Beatriz Rivera, and David Rivera. Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery at 1900 Edith Blvd., NE on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place immediately thereafter.
        Published on: Wed May 12, 2010