Of course, all the Unsers were there to pay respects to their beloved father, brother, uncle and grandfather, including four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser and his son, Al Unser Jr., as well as all of Bobby’s family.
Because COVID-19 restrictions remain strict in New Mexico, many of Unser’s contemporaries were unable to attend.
Mario Andretti, Unser’s racing rival and dear friend, sent in a video tribute.
“Sure, there were some things that frustrated me about Bobby, but those are also some of the things that I will miss the most,” Andretti said. “I’ll miss his laughter, which was truly contagious. His straightforward opinions, his strength, and his grit. He was colorful and he had no filter, that’s for sure.
“One thing that always impressed me from the very beginning was how kind and how accommodating he was with his fans. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and put that person at ease and make them a fan for life. Bobby Unser was a genuine character and one talented driver. That’s how I will remember him.
“Thanks for the battles wheel to wheel, thanks for the laughs. Above all, thanks for the friendship.
“Rest in peace, ‘Racer.’”
Unser’s last team owner was Roger Penske. The 83-year-old Penske also paid service to Unser’s memory and legacy with a lengthy video. He sat on the front wheel of Unser’s 1968 Indianapolis 500 winning Eagle-Offy with the Borg-Warner Trophy in the background.
“He was fast in anything he drove,” Penske said. “He had a fierce desire to win. He had a love for life in all that he did. He was a three-time Indy 500 champion and a true racing legend. His passion, enthusiasm and personality made him one of the most unique characters in racing history and one of the greatest ambassadors our sport has ever seen.
“But to me, Bobby Unser was a great friend. A champion. He made all of us laugh, smile, and enjoy all that life has to offer. He will be missed, but truly never forgotten.”
Pastor Neil Ortiz compared Unser to the Apostle Paul in his opening remarks.
“God graces our lives with champions like Bobby Unser. These champions live lives that serve for all of us examples of how God wants each of us to approach our lives with the zeal, the gusto, the commitment, the sacrifice,” Ortiz said. “As a Churchman, I would be remiss if I did not on this occasion discuss how the Apostle Paul approached his life and the way Bobby Unser approached his life. Both were very technical and fierce competitors.
“As Bobby Unser once said, nobody remembers who finished second except the guy who finished second. I really don’t remember who finished second in my Indianapolis 500 victories.”
Paul Page, Unser’s broadcast partner at NBC, ABC and ESPN gave the eulogy, mixed with equal parts humor and reverence.
“Bobby Unser was my friend,” Page recalled. “I was honored to work and play with the man that by his own admission was the smartest man alive and the fastest man on Earth. He won his first championship when he was 15 years old and was devilish in a sprint car, Champ Car, Indy car, Formula One car. He was good at all of it. Winning was all that Bobby ever thought about.
“Bobby was a champion’s champion. He was the fifth three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
“There were no pretensions to Bobby. He was who he was. He lived the life that he wanted. And we are all richer for it.”