Sneads Ferry, NC – HMC Robert “Bobby” Maldonado (U.S. Navy, Retired), 46, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC. He was born September 1, 1980, in Los Angeles, CA.

Bobby was the firstborn of Juan Maldonado and Maria Del Pilar Cuevas. Though he faced a difficult childhood growing up in Los Angeles, Bobby found his purpose in the U.S. Navy, a brotherhood that gave him direction and a way to protect others. He trained as a Hospital Corpsman alongside the Marines. During a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2005, though wounded himself, Bobby saved the lives of three Marines. For his heroism, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He went on to complete some of the most demanding training in the military, earning his parachutist and combat diver qualifications as a Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman, and served with Marine Reconnaissance and Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) units over many deployments. Known for dropping everything to help anyone in need, he mentored countless Sailors and Marines throughout his career. He retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. Above all, Bobby was a loving father to Raven and Hayden, and his greatest joy was his children.

He is survived by his children, Raven and Hayden Maldonado of Sneads Ferry; his mother, Maria Del Pilar Cuevas of Los Angeles, CA; his father, Juan Maldonado of Los Angeles, CA; and his siblings, Emily Ortiz of Bakersfield, CA, Giovanny Maldonado of Los Angeles, CA, Juan “Johnny” Maldonado of Los Angeles, CA, Miguel Maldonado of Los Angeles, CA, Maria “Lizeth” Maldonado and Jasmine Maldonado of Los Angeles, CA.

A funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice, or to the family’s memorial fund in Bobby’s honor at https://tinyurl.com/maldonadogofundme