Roberto Delgadillo Former Tejano Radio Host From Kenosha Passed Away

Roberto Delgadillo

(Left photo of Delgadillo courtesy of Cy White/Photo Action U.S.A. and right by HNG)

Delgadillo was a former Tejano DJ at Racine's La Campeona WRKR 1460 AM in the late 1980's and served as a long time Board member in both UMOS and La Causa.

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 3, 2014

San Antonio, Texas - On Friday, Roberto Delgadillo, 66, formerly of Kenosha, Wisconsin passed away in San Antonio. Delgadillo, as the "Texas Tornado" DJ was well known in the mid to late 1980's for his avid programing of a variety of Tejano style of music at La Campeona WRKR 1460 AM Radio from Racine. He also volunteered for numerous years as an MC at the Milwaukee Mexicana Fiesta.

Delgadillo also was a Board member at the United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. for at least 18 years and also served as a Board member at La Causa for 10 years.

One of Delgadillo's passion was to promote the Tejano style of music and promoted local Tejano bands in Southeastern Wisconsin. He retired and left the State of Wisconsin about three years ago and moved to San Antonio where he will internally rest in peace.

Delgadillo will be dearly missed by friends and family. He left a legacy of being one of the pioneers that promoted Tejano music in the state.

His former wife, Cynthia Delgadillo said, "His four children were all with him when he passed on. Roberto's life was a hard one. He didn't have much in the way of formal education. So often we know people as this or that, but Beto was a complex person. Even though he lacked formal education, he refused to let that impede him. He did receive his GED in Kenosha through the Adult High Schools. A program which my mother started! I feel like we were always destined to be together. I can't believe I will never see his face again in this life.
"As the eldest child in a large family, he was expected to work in the fields to help support them. He left school in the third grade to work in the migrant stream. He settled out in Northern Illinois in 1972 and married his first wife, Linda. I think they moved to Kenosha shortly afterward. He became very civicly involved here, and was a post president of the Kenosha-Racine Spanish Center. That is how he met Lupe Martinez (the CEO of the United Migrant Opportunity Services) and became involved with UMOS," Cynthia stated.

Roberto Delgadillo is being laid to rest on Sunday, May 4th in San Antonio. Services are on Sunday. Viewing at 9 a.m., service at 12 p.m. and burial at 1:30 p.m.

Delgado Funeral Home
319 W. Mitchell
San Antonio, TX 78204
210-533-0003