Obituaries
Luis Ricardo Alonso, 86
October 25, 2015
Luis Ricardo Alonso, 86, a retired professor of Spanish Literature at Franklin & Marshall College, passed away early Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Lancaster General Hospital. Beloved husband, father, Papa, brother, mentor, colleague, and friend.
Ricardo was born in a little village in northern Spain and grew up in Cuba. When he got to Lancaster in 1975, he had already accomplished much. He had been a lawyer, journalist, diplomat, novelist, and professor. He wrote in Spanish and authored seven novels in the course of his life, two of which received literary recognition in Spain. Two were translated into English. He retired from F&M as Dana Professor.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ana. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Ricardo and daughter-in-law Myrta of Arlington, VA, and by his daughter Ana and son-in-law David Killick of Tucson, AZ. He had four grandchildren: Luis, Marisa, Carlos, and Colin. He was blessed to meet his great-grandson Jonah, son of Luis Alonso and Dana Edelman of San Francisco, CA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and by his brother Enrique and sister-in-law Maria Amelia of Madrid, Spain.
He was preceded in death by his son, Armando.
Plans for a memorial service will be announced later.
The family thanks all who have offered their prayers, friendship, and support, and requests your continued prayers.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
January 29, 2021
I have to thank Prof. Luis Ricardo Alonso who advocated for me to finish college, and who hired me under work/study to order Spanish language books for the department. RIP
William H Smith III, PhD
June 05, 2020
Just found this page. I have dreamed of my teacher and friend for some years now. I knew he would be gone but I didn’t want to know for sure I guess. Ricardo rented me his Pine St. house, shared his beloved Lhasa Yetti and even now I write at the carved wood desk I bought from him when he moved. Ricardo I think of you often. I think literature was what you intended to teach me. But you taught most of us a great deal more. To his children: your parents are great and wonderful people. Xxoo
Marc Goldberg
December 20, 2019
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was my most remembered teacher at UMass/Boston and will be forever grateful to his and your hospitality and will always hold dear the memory of your Paella. Missing him and you.
Bill Bell
May 27, 2019
Though its been over three years, I still think of my father daily and miss talking with him. Nena
Ana Maria Alonso
March 10, 2019
I found this sad news as I was doing research about Centro Cultural Cubano – Boston, an organization that Professor Alonso and several other families helped organize.His input and presence, as well as Ana’s, were well received. Ricardo will always be in our memory.RIP.
February 06, 2017
My most sincere condolences on your loss. Professor Alonso had the driest, most sarcastic wit and unparalleled intellect.
I was not his best student.
But, he was my favorite Professor at Fand M.
We laughed and he did call me his favorite Gringo Spanish Major.
Im sure he told everyone that.
I finished at the bottom of my class. But, no one cares 35 years later!
We were friends.
He will be missed.
Jere John Daum
Class of 1982, barely
March 23, 2016
My Dear Mrs. Alonso and Family,
I carry a vivid memory of my time learning from your good husband and father. He was a most impressive teacher and thinker. The many hours we spent sharing thought, worldly arguments, talking about his commuting from Boston, and discussing his writing along with my feeble attempts to impress him are invaluable to me.
Dr. Alonso had just arrived at F&M. His intellect…redoubtable. His sense of humor…uninhibited. And above all his friendship and belief in what we were learning was inspiring. I owe him a great deal for that.
The last time I saw Dr. Alonso was at an orchestral performance at Hensel Hall twenty-some years after graduation. We embraced and shared a couple of old partisan giggles. As we parted he told me that I had been his best student and that he was proud of me. I was humbled…and know that, in fact, we were all his best. And that we shall always be so proud of him.
With Condolences,
Paul W. Aierstuck, BA Spanish, Franklin & Marshall College Class of 1978
March 17, 2016
Dear Mrs. Alonso and family,
I am very saddened by the news and send you my condolences on your loss.
Professor Alonso was a great teacher and mentor. Some of my fondest colleges memories include the times I spent in his classes. I recall our conversations about Castro and Somoza – after class – of course! His passion to teach was matched by his caring for his students. He was proud of being Cuban and always happy to give advice a fellow Cuban American like me. His advice and recommendations helped me reach my academic and professional goals – graduating from law school and working as a Foreign Affairs Officer in the State Department. This would not have happened without him.
Siempre te recordaré con mucho cariño!
Moisés Behar, F&M Class of 1989
December 06, 2015
Profesor Alonso had the greatest impact on me of any teacher, ever. He was so wise, kind and generous. It was a privelege to know him.
Suzanne Donick Siegel MD (F&M class of 1990)
November 16, 2015
Dear Ana and family,
Sandy and I send you our condolences on your loss. We met Ricardo soon after he came to F&M. For a time, he was a neighbor on Pine Street. We were honored to know him and to count him as a friend. We will miss his smile and embrace.
Dick & Sandy Fluck
November 04, 2015
Dear Ana and Alonzo family
I was so fortunate that Ricardo was my friend- a friend of the Graupera family throughout the years. He will remain an inspiration to me. May God bless you.
November 03, 2015
We are so sorry to hear of the death of Professor Alonso. We have many happy memories of him from our time together at F&M. Please accept our sincere sympathy. We will keep him and all the family in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
William and Elaine Pease
November 03, 2015
Querida Ana,
Muchos besos de Susana y familia.
Tristeza y serenidad.
Aver si nos vemos en Parres para recordarlo como se merece.
Susana (la de la Cuca)
November 01, 2015
As a former student at F&M , please accept my sorrow to hear of Professor Alonso’s passing. He was a deep and thoughtful teacher whose classes I enjoyed, even his Castillian accent. J. Clair Hess MD.
October 29, 2015
Dear Ricardo, Myrta & Family, we were very sorry to hear of your father’s death. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you during this sad time. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Sincerely, Bud, Madeline & Family
- Services
- Sunday, December 06, 2015
- 2:00 PM
- Franklin & Marshall College, Nevin Chapel
- 525 Old Main Dr.
- Lancaster, PA
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