Emilio Rule de Vera

Emilio R. de Vera
May 28, 1936 – October 24, 2022

Emilio Rule de Vera was born on May 28, 1936 in rural San Carlos City, Pangasinan,
Philippines, to Honorio and Mercedes de Vera. Emil, as he was known by friends and family,
passed away peacefully on October 24, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.

As a child, Emil admired his father and followed him everywhere he went. He excelled
academically and became valedictorian of his high school class, earning a scholarship to
college in the Philippines. However, he always dreamed of coming to America. In 1953, at the
young age of 16, he journeyed to San Francisco alone aboard the USS President Wilson.

He was accepted to San Francisco State University and worked various jobs, including as a
kitchen aid and building maintenance man, to fund his education. After meeting Maui-born
Rosalinda at a party, they were married in Reno his junior year. He received his Bachelor of
Science in Chemistry, with a minor in Mathematics in 1959. Emil and Rosalinda welcomed three
children, Emile Noel, Rosalind and Emilynne, and raised them in Pinole, California.

Emil was a born leader, both professionally and in the Filipino-American community. He worked
his way up from staff chemist to eventually becoming Chief of the Food and Drug Laboratory of
the California Department of Public Health. Throughout his life, Emil earned numerous
accolades and awards, including landing in Who’s Who in the West and winning the East Bay’s
Outstanding Immigrant of the Year award.

Emil traveled the world and enjoyed dancing, fishing, tennis, playing Tongit (a card game) and
golf. He won many golf tournaments throughout the years and achieved a hole-in-one.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rosalinda, his three children, Emile Noel, Rosalind and
Emilynne and their partners, his grandchildren Elainea, Maria, Derek, Robert Emilio (LB), his
step-granddaughter Kimberly, and his great-granddaughter Isla. In addition, he is survived by his
seven siblings, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many other loving family members. He
will be laid to rest at Rolling Hills Memorial Cemetery in Richmond, California, near his
step-granddaughter, Ina, who precedes him.

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