Summer 2004

Roberto Carlos Terrazas

“Everybody liked this guy,” says Paula Hoffman, director of rehabilitation and governmental affairs, of Roberto Terrazas, known as Robert to friends. “He was so humble, really sweet, and very intelligent. I can’t remember anyone saying anything negative about him, ever.”

Robert was a valued and respected member of the Lighthouse for the Blind family and Seattle’s Deaf-Blind community for over a decade before moving to Arizona last December. He hoped to help build a Deaf-Blind community in Arizona modeled after the community here. Tragically, Robert was struck by a car shortly after settling in Tempe. He passed away in February. Friends and family attended a memorial service here in Seattle held for him at the Community Service Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

“He was a source of wisdom and advice,” says Mark Landreneau, government affairs specialist. “He was very much a part of the [Deaf-Blind] community and very much a part of the information sharing that is a part of the community.”

Friends remember a kind, bright, compassionate man with a wonderful smile. “Sometimes when I’m working, I can still picture that warm, beautiful smile,” says Mindy Joy Mayer, machine shop production worker, who was a close friend. He especially enjoyed learning new things and was both an avid sports fan and a history buff.  “He was just a fun person, a good man, someone interesting to talk to. Most of what we did was have great conversations, enjoying each other’s company and talking,” continues Mindy Joy.

Robert came to Seattle by way of Kansas City, Missouri, where he was the second of five children born to James G. and Ludivina Legarreta Terrazas: James, Roberto, Irene, Eddie, and Angelica. Robert was one of the three Terrazas children born Deaf-Blind due to Usher’s syndrome. Many people remember his close relationship with his older brother, James, who also has Usher’s.

Paula reminisces about the first time James came to the annual Deaf-Blind retreat in Seabeck with Robert. “I remember the joy they had in seeing each other. They lit up and there were these big hugs. Robert took on the role of showing James around. He was really proud of the community here.” 

In his ten years at the Lighthouse, Robert continually challenged himself with different kinds of work. He often said that if he won the lottery, he would give the money to his family and friends and also to the Seattle Lighthouse to provide other blind and Deaf-Blind people with the same specialized services he had received.

Mindy Joy remembers how much he was cherished by people here. “Robert was well known by people in Seattle. He had this kind of glow to him. He was gentle. He was a caring person and people cared about him.”

Robert especially loved to be in the sunshine. “At the [memorial] service, someone mentioned ‘look at this beautiful weather, just like Robert would have liked.’ I remember thinking that 'if Robert were here today, he would go out and enjoy the day.' It was a way we could remember what he would be doing,” says Mindy Joy.  “He was important to the community. I think he’ll remain in our hearts forever – in many people’s hearts forever.”

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