Robert L. Soza, Sr. passed away on August 19, 2026. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pharmacist, businessman, and friend whose life was woven into the history of Alpine and the Trans-Pecos region.

Robert was raised in Presidio, where his father, Manuel G. Soza, operated a grocery store and managed farming and ranching operations. From him, Robert learned that business was trust, responsibility, and service to the people who depended on you. He graduated from St. Edward’s High School in Austin and earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Texas in 1963. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Evalina Alvarado. Together they built a life of faith, family, and work, raising two sons—Robert Jr. and Alfredo— both of whom became attorneys.

For more than fifty years, Robert served his community from behind the counter of Highland Drug—not simply filling prescriptions, but listening, advising, encouraging, and treating generations of customers as neighbors. In an era when few Mexican-American professionals owned businesses in Alpine, Robert became one of the community’s first—a steady example of dignity, service, and possibility.

Robert served Alpine and the surrounding communities of Presidio, Marfa, Fort Davis, Marathon, Sanderson, South Brewster County, and Ojinaga. In a vast region where medical services could be far away, Robert often opened the drugstore late at night, on Sundays, or whenever someone urgently needed medicine. He was an active member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and the Alpine Evening Lions Club.

Robert’s legacy lives in the people he inspired. For generations of Alpine residents— especially young Mexican-American students and families—his life showed what was possible: that a boy from Presidio could earn a professional degree, return to Far West Texas, build a respected business, and open doors for others by example. A number of employees he trained went on to become licensed pharmacy technicians; others went on to earn their pharmacy degrees.

He is survived by his wife, Evalina Soza; his sister, Guadalupe Shields; his son, Robert Soza, Jr.

(wife, Roxanna Gonzales- Soza) grandchildren Felicia Mia Soza (husband, Christian Lowrey) Gabriella Marie Soza (husband, Eastin Issac), Manuel Diego Soza (partner, Julia Eva Kinney) Elias Adrian Soza (wife, Isabel Mendes); Nina Elissa Soza, Ileana Isabel Soza, and Roberto Javier Soza; and great-grandchildren Langston Bly Soza-Lowery, Zora Evalina Soza-Lowery, Mateo Manuel Soza, and Lucia Marisol Soza. He was preceded in death by his son, Alfredo A. Soza, his brother, William Soza, and his sister, Evangelina Juarez.

Memorial Service: Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Alpine, Saturday, September 5, 2026. Viewing at 9 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., with Mass and Burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Robert’s honor to: Sunshine House, Alpine; Food Pantry of Alpine; Alpine Public Library; Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend; Casa Hogar Orphanage; or the Alpine Humane Society.