Rafael Diaz y Diaz, age 89, of 20 Domenica Circle, Clarion, Pa. died on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the Clarion Hospital at 8:41 pm.

Born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, on December 26, 1924, he was the son of Miguel Alvarado Diaz and Fidela Alicea de Diaz.

Professor Diaz was an assistant professor at Clarion University of Pennsylvania in the Modern Language Department. He was associated with CUP from 1966-1998.

He attended the University of Puerto Rico majoring in civil engineering at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico(1944). He graduated from the University of Denver in 1952 with a degree in Spanish Liberal Arts and Sciences. He was language chairperson and teacher in Rocky Flats, Golden and Denver Public Schools from 1952-1966. He also taught at the Jesuit College and chaired the Pan-American Club in Denver Colorado.

After leaving the Mile High city of Denver, he interviewed and was hired by telephone by the then CUP President James Gemmell and arrived in Clarion to begin a fantastic job teaching Spanish/Spanish American language, literature and culture to countless students from 1966-1998.

He developed, along with the then Dean of Liberal Arts John Bodoh and directed and taught the Summer Program in San Luis Potosi and Toluca, Mexico from 1976-1990. He also created directed and taught the Summer Program at the University of Costa Rica from 1991-1995.

Professor Diaz was, in addition, a member and professor at the Institute of Spanish Studies summer sessions in Valencia, Spain from 1990-1995. While at CUP, he was chapter advisor of the Theta XI Fraternity and established a Spanish scholarship.

Professor Diaz maintained memberships in Phi Eta Mu and Alpha Mu Gamma (honorary language fraternities), National Education Association, Colorado Hispanic Society, AATSP(American Association of teachers of Spanish and Portuguese), Hispania, APSCURF, Disabled American Veterans-Geo. G. Klumker Chapter 22 of Colorado and The Clarion American Legion Post 0066.

Professor Diaz served in Panama and St. Croix in WWII with the U.S. Army from 1945-1948, receiving the rank of Corporal. He also was awarded the American Theater Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and two overseas bars.

Rafael was a born teacher, who brought a level of energy to the classroom which brought joy to his students, many of whom he influenced to pursue a career in education. He certainly instilled a love of Spanish history, culture and literature-a sense of the Vida Loca-to those he mentored from the GI’s that he instructed in Panama during WWII, the Jr./Sr. and Jesuit students in Colorado, the CUP students, the continuing adult students and the vast number of students during the many Summer School Programs both at CUP and abroad.

His desire to share his knowledge of Spanish and the Arts continued on a path which began to ebb, but never stop until he retired from CUP in 1998 after 46 years of teaching his profession of choice and love. In his capacity as a CUP supervisor of student teachers, he always told them to never stop loving, experiencing or sharing the knowledge of one culture with another.

Professor Diaz married his beloved advisee, Mary Carter of Clearfield on August 8, 1970. They just celebrated their 44th anniversary.

In addition to his Amor Maria, he is survived by his daughter-nena, Marisa Diaz-Stapleton and husband Jonathan of New Jersey and his other daughter Lisa Davenport and her daughter Gracie Rose of Texas. Also surviving are his nephew Raulito Diaz of Miami and niece Mildred (Piye) Diaz of Deltona, Florida and son Christian. Also surviving are brother and sister-in-laws Eugene and Dee Carter, Janet Borger, Sally and George Markusic Sr., Wendell and Carol Carter along with numerous loving nieces and nephews from the Carter branch. In Colorado, reside his three godchildren Carter Phelps, Laura Phelps Rodgers and Renee Phelps Fry.

Professor Diaz was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Raul and perritos, Sancho Panza and Luna.

Professor Rafael Diaz y Diaz loved life to the fullest. He relished traveling, entertaining and sharing his knowledge of what it meant to him to be the ultimate Spanish caballero, a gentleman, a Don Quixote to the world and especially to his Dulcinea, la locura de su vida, his wife Maria.

His tastes of the world were Paella, Sangria, Tapas, Flan, Arroz con gandules, lechon asado, pasteles, Beefeater martinis, Macanudo cigars and many more. He truly lived a good life.

Music, books, writing poetry, newspapers, his rose gardens, philosophy(Seneca and Unamuno), art, dancing — oh what a dancer, streamed through his soul day by day like the blood surging through his veins — oh strong hearted man.

Professor Diaz y Diaz’s family said that after a long life of robust health without any regrets, he began to close the Circle of Life. He often said that when we are born, we begin to die. We need to enjoy the whole trip on Earth and to prepare for our best and final journey ever, to the Life Everlasting.

His family bids to him their farewell thoughts for now — “Vamos bien, Que Dios te bendiga, te amamos, besos y abrazos a nuestro Jibarito de Puerto Rico. Para siempre, nunca te olvidamos.” PAZ

Memorial donations may be made to the Rafael and Mary C Diaz y Diaz Spanish Scholarship c/o Clarion University Foundation Seifert-Mooney Center for Advancement, 840 Wood Street, Clarion PA 16214 (www.clarion.edu), the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurse Association, 271 Perkins Rd, Clarion PA 16216 (www.cfvna.org), or Guatemalan Student Support Group (www.gssg-usa.org). This is a group founded by dad’s longtime friend and colleague, Dr. John Bodoh from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Mary and Marisa Diaz y Diaz would like to thank Dr. Cunningham, Dr. Stevenson and the entire nursing staff in ICU and 2nd floor for their professionalism and compassion in taking care of Rafael.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion where visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, September 15.

Military honors will be accorded by the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post 66 of Clarion at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, at the funeral home, to be followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Dr. C. Frederick Ralston, a member of the family, shall officiate.

Interment shall be in the Clarion Cemetery.

To send online condolences, visit www.gobelfh.net.