Raul R. Rodriguez was an artist best known for his extravagant floats at the Tournament of Roses Parade. The designer won more Tournament of Roses awards than any other designer in the event’s 125-year-plus history.

A trained artist, Rodriguez created his first design for the parade, a float for the city of Whittier, California, at the age of 15. In 2012 he presented his 500th design for the event.

Along the way, he worked with the Walt Disney Company, creating floats for Disneyland’s 50th-anniversary Parade of Dreams. He also designed Six Flags’ nighttime electric parade and did projects for Universal Studios, Landmark Entertainment and Radio City Music Hall.

In 2001 Rodriguez was part of the team that won an Emmy for coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade on Univision. He also received the esteemed Arthur Nobel Award from the City of Pasadena.

Rodriguez died in Pasadena, California, on February 18, 2015. He was 71.