Roberto Huerta Alatorre

Roberto Huerta Alatorre, age 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, surrounded by family. Roberto was also known to family and friends as Robert, Bob, Bobby, and Beto. He was born on Friday, May 1, 1936, in Canatlan, Durango, Mexico to Ignacio and Carlota Alatorre. Roberto was a long-time resident of Lake Station, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignacio (Lucina) Alatorre and Carlota (Francisco) Martinez; brothers: Ignacio Alatorre, Jr., Saul Alatorre, Tony Medellin, Fernando Huerta, and Jaime Huerta; sisters: Josephina Alatorre and Christina Medellin; and granddaughter, Maryanne Taylore Klisiak. Roberto is survived by his beautiful sweetheart, Mary Alatorre, whom he called “Honey” and “Mommy”; his son, Isaiah Robert (Laura) Alatorre and daughter, Leticia Alatorre (Brent) Klisiak; grandchildren: Victoria Lynn Niedbalec, Isaiah Joseph (a.k.a. Sunny) Alatorre, Alexandria Nicole Alatorre, Jessica Anne Alatorre, Courtney Renee (Adam) Lang and Harry Tyler Klisiak; great-grandchildren: Conor Matthew Kiley, Ryann Joelle Lang, Logan Mae Lang, Aaron Thomas Lang, Piper Sue Lang, and Natasha Marie Yo’el Niedbalec; brothers and sisters here in the United States and Mexico: Victor (Esther) Alatorre, Leticia (Jose +) Alatorre Garcia, Elizabeth (Agustin) Alatorre Partida, Sandra (Arturo) Alatorre Partida, Nora Erendira (Ramon) Alatorre, Groriselda Alatorre, Genero Medellin, and Rich Medellin, and many more extended family members. In 1956, Roberto met the love of his life and next-door neighbor, Mary Alice Tellez. While dating, Roberto worked at the Star Dry Cleaners and Laundry, that was run by a Christian couple, Lester and Thelma VanBibber. Through their witnessing of Jesus Christ to Roberto, he accepted the Lord as his Savior on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957. He shared his new faith with Mary, and she too accepted the Lord as her Savior. They married Tuesday, October 7, 1958, and began their lives as a strong Christian couple. Starting a family in 1959, Roberto was drafted into the Army, June 12, 1959. As he went to serve his Country, Mary with child was cared for by their dear Christian friends, Lester and Thelma VanBibber. In Roberto’s early years in Indiana, he played on an adult soccer team as the goalie, in Hammond, Indiana. A sport he loved and played in his youth years in Mexico as well. Cycling was also a sport he loved and did in his younger years in Mexico, and he would enjoy in his later years of his adult life. While working at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, he began to cycle to work. He cycled all 4 seasons, especially in a few snowstorms when no one could make it in, he’d put chains on his wheels and trek through the snow. On one of those snowstorm days, a policeman stopped him when he was close to the Mill, to ask if he was okay, he said “yes, just on my way in to work.” Roberto cycled to see his daughter in college one time, which was a 4½ hour car ride (279.5 mi.). He cycled to Kenosha Wisconsin with his nephew, Ray and he also would cycle for M.S. charities from time to time. After working at the Star Dry Cleaners and Laundry in Gary, he was drafted into the Army. He went to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he was honored with a Good Conduct Medal, Marksman (Carbine), and Sharpshooter (Rifle). After coming home on furlough, he went to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. From Texas to Sacramento Army Depot, California, to be sent to Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii which is where he would spend the rest of his service time in the Army. While at Schofield Base, he loved the Army, became an Army Medic and fell in love with Hawaii. He found a church and Christian friends there. Roberto had a beautiful singing voice and would sing “Amazing Grace” in English, Spanish, and Hawaiian. Being in the Army also led to Roberto becoming a United States Citizen which he was very proud of. After the Army, he had a few jobs and then was hired September 1969 at Bethlehem Steel Corporation serving 33½ years and retired in January 2002. There he met and made many friends and enjoyed being a Craneman at the 160” Plate Mill in the Shipping Department. Roberto was a Christian witness no matter where he was, and co-workers knew that as well. Roberto had a wonderful long retirement of 23 years sharing it with his sweetheart, family, and friends. Being a grandfather (a.k.a. Papa) was another great joy in his life. Sharing as much time as he could in all that his grandchildren were a part of. Performing Arts of Dance, seeing many wonderful performances by his granddaughters: Victoria, Alexandria, Jessica, and grandson, Sunny. He was happy to see Victoria become a mom and being a great grandpa to Natasha. Roberto enjoyed helping at the go-kart tracks with his racing grandson, and at the many basketball, football, and baseball games with grandson, Tyler (a.k.a. Chiquito). One past time was Roberto (Papa) would take Tyler to skate parks to ride his bike, skateboard, or rollerblade. In Tyler’s adult years he’d D.J. for skate park events and Papa got to see him do that as well. Roberto loved seeing his stunning granddaughter, Courtney in a pageant, seeing her graduate from High School and sharing in the joy of her wedding day. And the continued blessings of being a great grandpa making memories with Courtney and Adam’s little ones, Conor, Ryann, Logan, Aaron, and Piper was a joy. There are so many amazing stories to share of his great experienced life of 88 years, one month shy of his 89th birthday, that will be in his family and friends’ hearts forever. All in all, Roberto was a Good Christian Man!!! A wonderful husband, dad, papa, great grandpa, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend. He made it known recently that he wanted to go home to be with the Lord, family and friends, and now Roberto rejoices in Heaven and is home. Roberto was one who did not want anyone to fuss over him in any regard. Therefore, please respect his wishes to be cremated and that there will not be any funeral services for him. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Roberto Huerta Alatorre

May 1, 1936 - April 1, 2025