In Remembrance

In Memory of Robert Holguin
1928 - 2007

The association is sad to report the death of Robert (Bobby) Holguin at 78 years old from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Holguin was a long time Riccar mechanic and a 1999 inductee into the VDTA Hall of Fame. Holguin is survived by his loving wife Maria, three children and seven grandchildren.

Holguin began learning how to service sewing machines on July 9, 1948, at Belvedere Sewing Machine Company in Los Angeles. In 1950, the Korean War began and he was drafted into the Army. After serving 18 months, he returned and the company began to go through different owners but always remained a sewing machine importing company.

In 1963, the Belvedere Company evolved into Riccar America. For about four years, Riccar sent Holguin and two others to do demo and service seminars all over the country. They were some of the first to do seminars for the VDTA.

In 1973, Riccar sent Holguin to the factory in Japan for one month where he enjoyed working in the research and development department. He was involved in Riccar’s ongoing research and development and played a large part in its success and reputation for quality products. Through the years, Holguin was recognized as one of the leading repairmen in the industry and his expertise was appreciated by many dealers.

Upon being inducted into the VDTA Hall of Fame, Holguin said, “Looking back, over 50 years in business, I have never missed a paycheck. God has been good to me. Sewing machines have been good to me.”

VDTA expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Holguin.

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, March 2008