Roberto Cantillo

Celebrating the Life of Roberto Cantillo

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Roberto "Bob" Cantillo of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18th, 2026. He received a wealth of well-wishes and was surrounded by family, sharing many beautiful smiles and fond recollections in his final days. Roberto departed with great peace in his heart despite the mounting health issues he had been enduring. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and sister Beatriz Linares Cantillo.

Most precious to Roberto was time celebrating with family, friends, and community. Whether feasting together at holidays or parties, taking in music at the symphony or the park, or cheering on the Steelers or his grandchildren, Roberto was surrounded by people who loved him. 

Born September 26, 1944 in Bogotá, Colombia, to doting parents Roberto Cantillo and Elvira (Gomez) Cantillo, his childhood was often spent at the family’s cherished country home Las Tapias in Nemocón, Colombia. Roberto graduated from Colegio de San Bartolomé in Bogotá before emigrating to the United States at the age of 18.

Roberto married his wife and champion Gladys (Torres) in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1967. Together they had four ever-grateful children Claudia, Katherine (Paul Cosentino), Robert (Alison Case), and Gabriel by whom he is survived along with five treasured grandchildren Sophia (Nicholas Pezzuti), Nicolas, Sarah, David, and Robert, his adoring sisters Patricia and Elvira “Tita” Cantillo, and his nieces and nephews in Colombia and the United States. 

As a new father, Roberto began his career with IBM as a computer programmer, advancing quickly into greater roles due to his analytical and people skills. Throughout his proud career with IBM he was consistently awarded for managerial excellence. His work leading teams to establish the company’s international ledger system brought him frequently overseas to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and throughout the Americas.

After retiring, Roberto and Gladys sought new adventures, so they packed up their things and moved to Pittsburgh to be closer to their grandchildren. There they were drawn into the charm and cultural offerings of the city, and they immersed themselves into serving and connecting others, making many friends along the way. Roberto served as a dedicated member and elder of Bellefield Presbyterian Church. Together with Gladys, he was ever present in his commitment to supporting international students and scholars via Pittsburgh Regional International Student Ministries (PRISM) and to connecting Colombians in Pittsburgh with each other and the broader community via Colombia en Pittsburgh. 

Roberto’s warmth, humor, and gentle charm endeared him to countless people over the years. He blessed many families beyond his own as an honorary “Lelo.”

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ASELSI supporting their medical outreach in Chichicastenango Guatemala or the PRISM student emergency fund.