ROBERT ORTIZ-TAPIA KEPT ALL LAUGHING MEETING HIM WAS INSTANT FRIENDSHIP.Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer Easygoing eas·y·go·ing also eas·y-go·ing adj. 1. a. Living without undue worry or concern; calm. b. Lax or negligent; careless. c. , generous and humorous are the qualities that describe Robert ``Bobby'' Ortiz-Tapia of Sylmar, who died Monday of congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. at age 71. ``To me, he was everything. He was very generous. He had six girls and he spoiled us rotten,'' said eldest daughter Roberta Copelin. ``He was very strict, like all dads are, and I didn't like it when I was growing up. But I understood everything when I became a parent. He was a very good dad, very protective and supportive.'' Robert Ortiz-Tapia was born Feb. 20, 1934, to John Tapia and Agustina Ortiz-Tapia in San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. . He attended San Fernando elementary, junior and senior high schools. He worked as a butcher while his daughters were growing up. Some of Copelin's favorite childhood memories are riding with her dad while he made deliveries to restaurants around the Valley or Hollywood. ``His philosophy of life was, 'One day at a time and don't dwell on the bad,''' Copelin said. ``You would feel like you knew him your whole life when you met him for the first time.'' Ortiz-Tapia also worked 12 years as a cabinetmaker for Dolphin National RV. Ortiz-Tapia met his second wife, Josie, at a party in San Fernando. They married on May 26, 1984. ``He made me laugh. He gave me the best years of my life. He told me all the time, 'Any place you are, I'm happy,''' Josie Tapia said. ``We weren't just two people, we were one.'' His wife recalled that Ortiz-Tapia was often mistaken for actor Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita, who portrayed Mr. Miyagi in the movie ``The Karate Kid,'' and the Valley native would offer to give star-struck fans his autograph. ``He was the kidding type, always had everybody laughing,'' Josie Tapia said. ``He was not a moody person. He was a very wonderful man. He had a good heart.'' Ortiz-Tapia loved animals, especially his German shepherd German shepherd, breed of large, muscular working dog perfected in Germany at the turn of the 20th cent. It stands about 25 in. (64 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 85 lb (27.2–38.5 kg). and Lab-mix dogs. His favorite movies were John Wayne films, historical epics, western and animal films like ``Two Brothers.'' He was a Lakers and Dodgers fan. He enjoyed barbecuing for friends and family. His specialties were carnitas, carne asada
A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday at Santa Rosa Santa Rosa, city, Argentina Santa Rosa, city (1991 pop. 80,629), capital of La Pampa prov., central Argentina. It is a modern city and road junction surrounded by a rich agricultural and cattle-raising area. Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church, Christian church headed by the pope, the bishop of Rome (see papacy and Peter, Saint). Its commonest title in official use is Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. in San Fernando. Ortiz-Tapia was cremated. Funeral arrangements were made by J.T. Oswald-Noble Chapel Mortuary in San Fernando. Ortiz-Tapia is survived by his wife of 20 years, Josie Lemos Tapia; daughters, Roberta Copelin, Debbie Govea, Cindy Tapia, Sandra Tapia, Licha Tapia, Joann Roveno; seven stepchildren; 55 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His brother, Charlie Tapia, predeceased him. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice Cheer, 625 Fair Oaks Fair Oaks, town, United States Fair Oaks, uninc. residential town (1990 pop. 26,867), Sacramento co., N central Calif., on the American River, in a growing citrus fruit and farm area. Ave., South Pasadena South Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə), city (1990 pop. 23,936), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1888. Medical supplies, clothing, and transportation and electronic equipment are manufactured. , CA 91030. Holly Andres, (818) 713-3708 holly.andres(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ORTIZ-TAPIA |
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