Breaking bread, building community: Remembering FSU shooting victim Robert Morales

• Morales was known for his generosity, often providing meals for students, athletes, and those in need through his work at FSU and his various culinary ventures.
• He is remembered as a kind and charismatic individual who made a positive impact on countless lives.

Whether from the kitchen of his beloved Black Bean Café, the warmth of his own home, or the heart of Florida State’s campus, food was the bridge Robert Morales used to span every corner of his world with Cuban flair, comfort and care.

“Robert made time for others, always leading with patience, humor and warmth,” FSU's Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Kyle Clark said of Morales during an emotional vigil held on the FSU campus April 18. “He will be remembered always with gratitude, respect and deep affection.” 

Clark added that Morales “often surprised us with homemade Cuban meals and pastries, reminding us that food is a love language, and food unites us all.” This was a way he fed not only people's appetites but their spirits.

'A good dude' and 'a gentle giant' who lived to literally serve

Before tragedy struck Florida State’s campus on April 17, the 57-year-old husband, father, coach and cook was known for his heart of service and kindness to those who had the pleasure of encountering him.

A 20-year-old student gunman opened fire April 17 at the FSU Student Union, killing Morales and Aramark executive Tiru Chabba, and injuring six students.

Morales, a 57-year-old native of Miami-Dade County, worked as dining coordinator at FSU at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Betty Morales, and daughter.

"I don't even know exactly how the whole thing took place, but in my mind's eye I could totally see Robert trying to talk to this young man to keep him from doing whatever he was doing. He's a good dude. I hated that," former Leon High football coach Bill Ragans said of the man who was once the school's long-time special teams coach.

His dismay causes a moment of silence that lingers.

Manny Pulido, an assistant coach for Leon, describes Morales as a charismatic, "gentle giant" that would go as far to "give you the shirt off his back." Like Ragans, Pulido pictures Morales's final moments as him helping others.

"I believe that the person that did this had an evil intent and he took a wonderful soul off this earth that had many more years to spend with his wife and beautiful daughter," he said. "Their lives are always going to be forever changed, and the lives of the people at Florida State are changed. One person's cruel act affects all of us."

Morales was the antithesis of that cruelty. His positive presence radiated wherever he went, with whoever he encountered.

"I don't know if I could find a person that had anything bad to say about him, he was just very giving and outgoing," Ragans said. "I'm telling you, this guy, he knew more people and talked to more people than I could ever imagine."

Of course, coaching was just one of the many hats Morales wore, each balanced with care — and often, with a plate of food in hand.

Ragans and Pulido fondly recalled the dinners Morales brought to the football teams, and the times they would visit Black Bean Café and stumble upon Leon football players being fed on the house. Whenever someone needed a meal, he provided.

"I'm going to try to become a guy that was more like Robert and always have a positive spin on everything because it truly is, even if you're winning or losing, if you're encouraging kids, there's always something positive coming out of it," Ragans said.

A legacy in capital cuisine

Morales left a deep imprint in the capital, especially in its culinary landscape. He was a former partner in local favorite Gordos Cuban Cuisine, which opened in 1996, and now has two locations. In 2005, he started Sofritos Foods with business partner Carlos Cruz, providing food products for the military.

In 2006, the late Tallahassee Democrat food critic Ashby Stiff reviewed Morales's garnet and gold decorated establishment, Black Bean Café, which was at 2205 Apalachee Parkway, now occupied by the Fly By Philly's cheesesteak restaurant. Stiff gave the Black Bean three and a half "chef hats," writing his praises for them "going the extra mile," when it came to service.

Stiff described the 7-day operation as an ultra casual establishment feeding teens, workers, families and students with "creative Cuban dishes, whopper portions, and sub zero prices, offered with patient menu explanations and wide smiles." Kids even ate free.

"The Black Bean," he wrote. "A restaurant as good as its name."

Alongside his wife, who is a former volunteer coordinator for Big Bend Hospice, Morales dedicated time and resources to providing meals for patients, families and volunteers at the nonprofit.

He joined Florida State University in September 2015, catering food to nearly 45,000 students. Clark noted that Morales was the visionary behind menu developments, whether it was walking someone through a menu plan, troubleshooting equipment repairs or explaining the flow of the kitchen.

Clark described Morales’ dedication in supporting students through his thoughtfulness.

"One student with severe allergies stands out as just one example of his impact. Robert worked directly with our chefs to ensure her meals were safe and nourishing," he said. "The act of kindness planted the seed for something greater. The allergen free station that's now available in the Suwannee Room Dining Hall is a lasting testament to his dedication."

Morales was also the visionary behind several menu developments and student centered events.

"He was a stellar person with an amazing spirit, his work at FSU and the lives that he touched will continue to speak for him. He will be remembered always with gratitude, respect and deep affection the loss of these individuals and the shock of this senseless tragedy has left us all searching for answers and grappling with emotions that are difficult to name in times like these," Clark said.

How to help

• A GoFundMe to benefit Morales' wife and daughter is at www.gofundme.com/f/robert-morales-fsu-shooting-victim. It has raised $149,000 as of April 23 over an original goal of $75,000, and now has a new goal of $175,000.

Kyla A. Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected].