Progress Cordoba – The Man behind the Woman

A Tribute by Penny Harrington

We often hear the phrase “the woman behind the man” representing the wife whose love and support isn’t publicly known, but who has helped make her more public husband who he is.

Sometimes, however, it’s a case of the man behind the woman, and such is the case with Progress Cordoba.

Folks active in local San Diego Republican circles have known Betty Gault Cordoba for many years.  She’s been a tireless supporter of local candidates and conservative causes for more than five decades.

Betty said “goodbye for now” to her dear husband Progress (known as Prog) on Sunday, June 3.

Prog, like Betty, was a teacher.  Born on July 17, 1923, Prog taught sixth grade in San Fernando Valley for 27 years.  He served our nation in the Army from 1943 to 1945 and attended University of Redlands, where he met Betty.

They transferred to USC and Prog graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Education in 1950.

After the couple retired to San Marcos, Prog settled into his favorite pastimes of reading, bridge, walking and watching Fox News – and served as the constant support for Betty’s tireless whirlwind of activity.

Betty is a native New Yorker who moved to California to attend University of Redlands in 1945.  There she spotted a handsome gentleman named Progress.  She told a friend, I’m going to marry him,” and she did.

Betty graduated from USC in 1949 and taught elementary school in Los Angeles.  She eventually retired from teaching, but never really left the classroom.

Betty has been a tutor and mentor to countless others who have become Republican volunteers and candidates.  During her decades of service, Betty was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Council on Women’s Educational Programs, elected to the County Republican Central Committee and represented San Diego County as CaliforniaRepublican Assembly vice president.

This is the woman the affable Prog supported for 63 years of marriage.

Toby Keith describes a relationship like theirs well in the song, “Woman Behind the Man”…

You are the reason I am who I am

You’ve always been my guiding light

Leading the way through love and life

Thank you, Prog, for being a fine man and for supporting our Betty.  You’ll be missed.

And Betty, we thank you.  You and your son Terry are in our thoughts and prayers.

Prog will be remembered on Wednesday, June 13 with a viewing at noon and service at 1:00 pm to be held at Allen Bros. Mortuary, 1315 S. Santa Fe Ave. in Vista.

An online guestbook is available at obits.nctimes.com.