Josue “Joe” Robles Jr., who served practically three many years within the U.S. Military — rising to turn into a two-star basic earlier than assuming the highest job at USAA — died Thursday, the corporate introduced. He was 78.
Robles oversaw the biggest interval of progress in USAA’s historical past by opening eligibility to all who honorably served within the army and their members of the family. A concentrate on innovation throughout his tenure made the corporate an early mover in cellular banking expertise, together with the primary to supply test deposits through cell phone.
“With practically three many years of service to the Military, which included a number of deployments and several other distinguished honors, Joe knew what it meant to serve,” wrote USAA President and CEO Wayne Peacock in an e-mail saying his demise to workers Thursday afternoon. “Joe’s expertise as an enlisted soldier gave him distinctive perception into the wants of the army group and their households.”
The soft-spoken Robles was beloved by many workers for his low-key administration model and delicate humor. He introduced his retirement to a packed auditorium at USAA that now bears his title and can “stand as a reminder of his selfless service to our nation and the influence he had on USAA and so many people as people,” wrote Peacock.
“It’s not usually that folks cherished their CEO, however folks cherished Joe,” mentioned Eileen Collins, a retired NASA astronaut and Air Pressure colonel who served on USAA’s board of administrators from 2008-2022.
No reason for demise was given, however in 2019, Robles revealed that he had Parkinson’s illness, a neurodegenerative illness with no treatment. In accordance with a narrative from the San Antonio Specific-Information on the time, Robles instructed a gathering at Heat Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of San Antonio that he hadn’t been identified till after his retirement, however suspected he’d had the situation for a number of years.
He went public together with his prognosis to assist others, he mentioned on the time.
“Joe touched lots of lives and had many accomplishments” former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros mentioned Friday. “He’s so demonstrative of the American story,” from working together with his father making bricks “to command of one of the vital distinguished divisions of america Military as a basic, then turn into the CEO of one of the vital revered companies in america. I doubt there’s one other nation on Earth the place that might occur.”
Robles “was not solely an awesome army man, organizing USAA, he additionally had an awesome love for the group,” mentioned retired Bexar County Decide Nelson Wolff, who recalled that Robles’ predecessor got here out in opposition to Wolff’s efforts to move a bond that might fund enhancements to the San Antonio River, the then-AT&T Middle, newbie sports activities parks and the creation of what would turn into the Tobin Middle for the Performing Arts.
“After which when Robles got here in, he supported it, put up $50,000 and and we handed all of the 4 main points,” Wolff mentioned. “So I used to be very grateful that he got here alongside.”
Mayor Ron Nirenberg posted on X Thursday that Robles “earned belief and reverence from those that knew him as a result of he was a power for progress in all that he endeavored. From enterprise to veteran affairs to training, he exemplified a lifetime of selfless service, answering the decision regionally and nationally time and time once more.”
After a number of abroad excursions and a stint as commanding basic of the first Infantry, also referred to as the “Massive Purple One,” Robles was finally promoted to main basic and named price range director for the Military.
He started serving on USAA’s board of administrators whereas on lively responsibility, and commenced his profession there in 1994 after retirement as particular assistant to the chairman. Robles later turned the banking and insurance coverage big’s chief monetary officer and comptroller, then served as company treasurer and chief administration officer earlier than turning into CEO in 2007. He retired in 2015.
Humble beginnings
Robles was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico in 1946, the eldest of 9 kids whose dad and mom acquired solely fourth- and ninth-grade educations. His household moved to Ohio when Robles was younger so his father may work in a metal mill, which he did for the subsequent 35 years.
“I knew I needed sufficient training in order that I may have selections,” he mentioned in a biography by Horatio Alger Affiliation of Distinguished People, which honored Robles in 2011. “I labored within the mill one summer time, and I discovered in a short time what a scorching, soiled, harmful place it’s. I wore an asbestos swimsuit and shoveled slag. Scorching doesn’t describe that job. It made me wish to go to highschool and get a great training in order that I wouldn’t should work there. I’ve all the time admired my father for doing it for thus a few years.”
He enrolled in group school after highschool and took a job at a NASA nuclear plant, with plans to turn into a health care provider. However when he dropped his lessons to half time, “Uncle Sam received to me,” he mentioned in an interview with Hispanic Government in 2014.
Robles entered the Military as an enlisted soldier, however was positioned right into a program that put non-college graduates into Officer Coaching Faculty. He later earned an undergraduate diploma in accounting from Kent State College and an MBA from Indiana State College.
Over his 28 yr army profession, Robles served in command and employees positions in Korea, Vietnam and Germany, in addition to the Pentagon.
Robles deployed the first Calvary Division from what’s now Fort Cavazos for Operations Desert Defend and Desert Storm, in response to the Specific-Information. For his service, Robles obtained the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Advantage with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Throughout his time at USAA and after his retirement, Robles was a civically lively member of the group. He served on the boards of administrators of the San Antonio department of the Federal Reserve Financial institution of Dallas, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Well being System and the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Youngsters’s Hospital Basis, San Antonio’s Early Childhood Schooling Municipal Growth Company and the United Manner of San Antonio and Bexar County.
He served as chairman of P16Plus Council of Higher Bexar County Basis, was tapped to be a member of the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs MyVA Advisory Committee and the Advisory Board of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Middle for Latin American Legislation on the College of Texas. Robles served as co-chair of the Pre-Ok 4 SA initiative and on Gordon Hartman’s SOAR board, which oversees Morgan’s Wonderland.
Robles and his spouse Patty had three kids, Melissa, Andrew and Christopher.
Christopher, who has autism, “modified my life,” Robles mentioned within the Horatio Alger biography. “He opened my eyes to folks with particular wants. He brings out the most effective in me and is the blessing of my life.”
In his e-mail to workers Thursday, Peacock mentioned Robles’ legacy “will proceed to information our nice affiliation as we try to uphold the values he championed.”
Phil Hardberger, who served as mayor of San Antonio throughout Robles’ tenure as CEO, mentioned Robles sat on an advisory committee of enterprise leaders he used as a sounding board.
He referred to as Robles one of many “most humble and personable generals I’ve ever met,” and mentioned his story — “rising up poor and Hispanic, with lots of odds in opposition to him” — is a narrative many San Antonians may perceive and be happy with.
“I’m glad I knew him, and I’m glad he lived and labored in San Antonio.”