Rodríguez died on October 31, 1984 in San Juan, Puerto Rico after suffering a stroke at the age of 57. Before he died, he had the pleasure of witnessing the graduation of his first born, Pedro Rodriguez, who earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama while working in NASA. Pedro became the director of a test laboratory at NASA and invented a portable, battery-operated lift seat for people suffering from knee arthritis. Rodríguez is survived by his wife Elba, his sons Pedro, Michael, Tommy.