It has been three weeks since the Florida State shooting, but as victim Robert Morales’ obituary states, “Please don’t let Robert’s life be reduced to the tragic way it ended. Remember him, instead, for the way he lived.”
A private memorial service is being held for the 57-year-old husband, father, coach and friend of many. While the service is exclusive, the Tallahassee community and anyone else feeling impacted by the legacy of “a man of quiet brilliance” is being encouraged to do something he would have loved as a way to honor him.
“Support a local restaurant. Make a meal for someone you love. Volunteer in your community. Help someone. Mentor a young person. Register as an organ donor,” his obituary reads.
On April 27, a 20-year-old student gunman opened fire at the FSU Student Union, killing Morales and Aramark executive Tiru Chabba, and injuring five students.
The obituary notes the last words the family is left with from Morales are sketched on the whiteboard in his office on the FSU campus: “Do not strive to have your presence noticed, but your absence felt.”
While many have prayed, left flowers on campus, and gathered in mourning, it’s the call to carry on the small, meaningful acts of love that most honors his legacy.
Born on March 14, 1968, Morales – a first-generation Cuban-American – was raised in Hialeah by his mother whose “love and devotion shaped his early life.”
That upbringing bloomed into a heart of service centered by food, family and football.
His love for football began with playing pickup games with other kids in the neighborhood. It soon became more than a hobby but a way to model character and guidance to those he took under his wing.
From coaching in Canada, then back to local institutions including John Paul II High School, Florida State University Seminoles football special teams and then at Leon High School, he left an impression on many with his compassion and guidance.
Even legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden called him “coach,” a title he wore with humility.
Morales attended Florida State University to study criminology but his calling was in the kitchen. Cooking food for friends was a love language he used to unite all of these worlds together.
He would lean into these roots, co-founding Gordos Cuban Cuisine in 1996 and then Black Bean Café on Apalachee Parkway in 2004. Eventually he brought it all back to his alma mater when he landed his dream job of University Dining Program Manager.
“He took a very personal and caring approach to his work, wanting every student to have a taste of home in their food offerings,” the obituary said.
But his deepest joy was shown in his devotion to his daughter Alicia and profound adoration for wife Betty, who he met at the age of 19. The couple built a life of love, friendship and “big infectious laughter” ever since.
“He was the kind of father every child deserves: safe and steady, endlessly kind, deeply understanding, unshakably encouraging, and funny as hell,” the family wrote.
He was especially proud of how Alicia perfected making a cafecito, also known as a Cuban coffee, and the espumita, the thick, frothy foam topping for cafecitos.
In life, Morales accepted challenges head on. In 2017 he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease but that didn’t defeat him. He endured countless hospitalizations, dialysis treatments, and a kidney transplant after years on the transplant list.
Now, as the community mourns and continues grappling with the senseless act, “if Robert were here he would not want us to dwell in anger. He would want us to focus on the small, steady acts of love that defined him and that keep him with us now,” his family said.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Obituary: Family of Robert Morales shares six ways people can honor his legacy
Reporting by Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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