Rudolfo Quintana

In Loving Memory - Rudolfo “Rudy” Quintana

Rudolfo “Rudy” Quintana was born on November 9, 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona to Rudolfo and Jessie Quintana. He spent his early childhood in the small mining town of Sonora, Arizona, with his parents, six brothers and sisters (Margaret, Joe, Angie, Bobby, Dolores, and Hope), and lots of chickens, goats, pigs, and donkeys, which he loved as pets. He would often tell stories of herding the goats in the Arizona hills, his pet rooster, and the smell of his mother’s tamales wafting through their little tin-roofed home.

Rudy and his family moved to Corona California in 1940, where he lived the rest of his life. After attending Corona High School, Rudy enlisted in the Air Force in 1954, because, as he said, “I wanted to fly!” After swearing in, he was shipped out to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and specialized in aircraft engine mechanics. Like many airmen, he wanted to fight in Korea, so he volunteered and trained to be a tail gunner on B25 and B26 aircrafts, and was shipped to Waco, Texas for training - a dangerous but essential job. But before Rudy could be deployed, the Armistice was signed, so Rudy stayed in the US. Rudy dreamed of making the Air Force his permanent profession but his father became ill so he curtailed the dream of flying for the Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and came home to Corona to care for and support his parents.

Rudy’s number one sweetheart was his wife of 61 years, Chenta Barron Quintana, also from Corona. Rudy met Chenta at a dance in 1954, but only reconnected in 1960 and were married at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Corona on August 11, 1962. Rudy and Chenta’s love was enduring and they were an example of a loving marriage to many. With Chenta, Rudy had four beloved children: Sofia, Vicente, Rudolfo, and Erika. Rudy loved his sons- and daughter-in-law, Mark (husband to Sofia), Beth (wife to Vicente), and Arnulfo (husband to Erika), and adored his 5 grandchildren Alyssa, Vicente, Kaden (children of Vicente), René and Juliana (children of Rudolfo), and 2 great-grandchildren, Rafael and Emery (children of Alyssa). For Rudy, family was vital; he loved to have big family dinners, plan big family vacations, play card games together and work in the garden with his children and grandchildren.

Rudy enjoyed life to the fullest; he loved to dance, sing, and was the life of every party. He enjoyed taking trips to places like Big Sur, Sedona and Lake Tahoe, and loved western movies, candies and sweets, and glasses of red wine and frosty beers. Later in his life, Rudy began walking and jogging, first in 5Ks and later in half and full marathons; Rudy completed his first marathon at 62, and completed many other half- and full-marathons well into his 70th year. Rudy also loved his cabin in Julian; with family and friends, he worked hard to restore the cabin and make it a welcoming place for loved ones to spend long weekends full of food, drink, and laughs together.

Rudy loved life and enjoying fun times, but he also was a hard worker. After working in the private air and space industry for a few years, Rudy worked for the Department of Defense for almost 30 years as a Quality Assurance Supervisor in the Defense Logistics Agency to supervise quality control for contractors for the Armed Forces and DoD; through his work he was able to continue his love of the air and space industry. Most importantly, through his work, he made many lifelong friends who became like family to him.

In fact, Rudy was easy to love, perhaps because he was tremendously loving and generous of heart and spirit to all. Rudy made friends with people from all ages, backgrounds, experiences, and personalities - all while remaining true to himself. Rudy knew how to make people feel loved, accepted, and appreciated - and so often, that love was reciprocated. In fact, as a youth, Rudy was initially called to the priesthood, because he always wanted to help and love others. Rudy was a devout Catholic, first attending St. Edwards Catholic Church, then as an early and integral member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, both in Corona. Rudy was very involved with the church, particularly in hospitality, church maintenance, and Eucharistic ministry, which he considered a special honor and privilege.

Even more, Rudy carried a strong love for and faith in God that was his source of strength and the center of his life. Rudy always kept the Bible close, and made prayer and service a part of his and his family’s life. Beyond that, Rudy’s kind, compassionate, and giving nature was a testament to his Christian spirit. Rudy passed away peacefully in his home on January 6, 2024 after a long battle with dementia. Both joyously outgoing and quietly compassionate, Rudy was a uniquely wonderful son, brother, friend, husband, father, papa, uncle, nino, and compadre. He liked to joke that his nickname was “The Greatest” but for those who knew and loved him, he truly was. He will be missed, but his memory will remain in the hearts of those who loved him.