Robert (Bob) Cortinez Sr.

Bob was born in Armistead, Louisiana and he grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Upon graduating high school, Bob joined the U.S. Army and completed the arduous 101st Airborne and Army Ranger training at Ft. Benning, Georgia and Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Upon completion of his training, he was awarded the coveted 101st Airborne Ranger designation.

In 1957 Bob was deployed to Little Rock when President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne to escort the “Little Rock Nine” into Central High School. This pivotal moment in our nation’s desegregation history allowed nine black students to courageously and safely integrate Little Rock Central High. This historic event as a young soldier helped shape Bob’s core values, his belief system, and his principles of fairness and equality for the rest of his life.  

He attended college at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La. After graduating from Northwestern, he attended and graduated from officer candidate school and retired from the Army as a full bird Colonel.

Bob loved telling the story of his first “real” job in Houma, La. He was hired as a claims adjuster for oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. After observing inequitable and unfair practices between the oil industry and families working in the gulf, he decided to attend law school to make a difference. Bob enrolled and graduated from the Univ. of Arkansas School of Law.

Bob began practicing law in 1973 and represented over a thousand people in Central Arkansas, with offices in Little Rock and Pine Bluff. He always geared his practice toward the underrepresented and those who needed help the most. On Jan. 1, 2024, Bob was awarded the status of Attorney Emeritus by the Arkansas Supreme Court honoring 50 years of practicing law. During his extensive legal career Bob Cortinez did indeed make a “difference” in countless lives, inside and outside the courtroom.  

Bob Cortinez was truly a man for all seasons. His charisma, genuineness, kindness, and love of life defined his personality and touched all who met him. His influence on generations of family, and the everyday man and woman, cannot be measured by words alone. “Mr. C”, as he was known by many who loved him, was quick with a joke and always had a smile on his face. He will be dearly missed, and his presence will be forever remembered.