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Carlos Noreña. Obituary
Carlos G. Noreña died on Monday, July 4th, at the age of 85, from complications following a stroke. Husband, father, grandfather, professor emeritus, and friend to countless members of the community, he will be dearly missed.
His life took him all over the globe, from Spain, his native country, to Japan, Germany, and San Diego, but his happiest years were spent in Santa Cruz, where he moved in 1967 to take up a position as assistant professor of philosophy at UCSC. He remained at UCSC until his retirement in 1996, serving as provost of Stevenson College from 1991 to 1994.
A beloved teacher, his most popular course was Philosophy 11, an Introduction to Philosophy, in which several generations of students listened to his lectures on the giants of the western tradition, from Plato and Aristotle to Russell and Wittgenstein. The major subject of his scholarly work was the Spanish Renaissance philosopher Juan Luis Vives [1492-1540], about whom he published several books and a number of articles. But his true passions always lay in teaching and in fostering the social and intellectual life of Stevenson College.
Born at El Escorial, near Madrid, Spain, in 1925, he grew up during a turbulent period in Spain's history, barely surviving the Spanish Civil War [1936-1939]. Shortly after World War II, he undertook several years of missionary work in Yokohama, Japan, and Würzburg, Germany, where he received advanced degrees in theology, classics, law, and philosophy. He moved to San Diego in 1963. Three years later he became an American citizen, and in 1967 was awarded his PhD in philosophy from UCSD.
In San Diego he also met his future wife, Mary, whom he affectionately called Maria. They were happily married for 47 years. In his retirement, he developed a strong interest in early US history, and later wrote a weekly blog that offered philosophical and historical perspectives on current events. In the rest of his free time, he enjoyed cooking [paella, a traditional Spanish dish, was his specialty], reading, watching sports [he was a loyal fan of the 49ers], and above all spending time with family and friends, who will never forget his warmth, humor, generosity, and kindness.
He is survived by his wife; by his daughter, Victoria, and son, Carlos; by five grandchildren; and by a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives in Spain.
A memorial celebrating his life will be held at Stevenson College, UCSC, in the fall.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carlos Noreña.
Robert Valente
July 3, 2020
What an icon - as a freshman in his introductory philosophy class in 1975, I remember Carlos speaking ill of General Franco, and speaking affectionately of Dear Old Rene (Descartes). He was a wonderful teacher.
July 19, 2011
I can still hear him rolling his 'r's when he wanted to make a point more salient. Great spirit, and a loss to us all
Dennis McElrath
July 13, 2011
As a dear friends and colleagues from our first meeting to plan for the opening of Stevenson college, Toni and I were greatly saddened to learn of Carlos's death. Many happy hours were spent with him at the coffee shop discussing everything from the
immaculate conception to Nietzche and the fate of the core course and college system. We shall also miss the many wonderful evening meals, drinks and parties with Carlos and Maria.
Our hearts go out to Maria, Victoria and Carlito.
Peter Sardellitto
July 13, 2011
Prof Norena had a rare warmth that I enjoyed as often as I could; while a student I never missed a course he taught.
As I now recall, 21 years after graduating with a degree in Philosophy, he shared anecdotes from his life and interests in just about every class. But memory is funny: it seems more likely that his personal warmth had more endurance than the course material.
Those who knew him were fortunate to have been exposed to this man's sense of time, reason, whimsy, and justice. Very few people have impressed me as he did. He was a Titan of humanity and one of the great treasures of my life.
Tamra Schmidt
July 13, 2011
Heartfelt condolences to Maria, his wife, and all his family, extended and otherwise. I worked closely with Carlos for three years at Stevenson College when he was the provost. Whenever he walked into a room, you just couldn't help but feel better no matter what mood you may have been in before that. Carlos was (is) a radiant soul whose heart was bigger than the university itself. I will never forget his kindness and fatherly support.
Javier Tena
July 13, 2011
I live in Spain and I hadn't heard about my uncle Carlos, beloved brother of my mother Pilar, for many years, but I always remember him as a very nice, intelligent and lively person. As I learn about his passing, I want to transmit my simpathy and love to his loving wife, Mary and my cousins Victoria and Carlos. Rest in Peace, tío Carlos. Un abrazo lleno de cariño.
Timothy Weiner
July 12, 2011
Carlos was a wonderful part of Stevenson College, and a true friend to many students. His warmth, sense of humor, and compassion will be missed.
Susan Hillhouse
July 12, 2011
My heart goes out to the family and close friends of this remarkable professor and man. His warm and blazing intelligence inspired thousands of students who also loved and appreciated his way of being in the world.
Maggie Barr
July 12, 2011
Carlos Norena was one of my first professors at UCSC in 1967. I was one of the lucky ones to have him as my Stevenson core course section leader. He had so many words of wisdom and humor and always greeted me with that big smile over all the years.
PILAR TENA
July 12, 2011
As his sister's Pilar daughter, I would like to send our warm condolences from Spain to tía María and my cousins Victoria and Carlos. Altough we haven't been too present in each other's lives, the news of tío Carlos' death has moved me to tears. My mother adored him. Please receive all my love and that of my husband Javier and children Juan and Emilia, Pilar
Julie (McVay) Walukiewicz
July 11, 2011
Carlos was an amazing mentor to students. He was wonderfully warm and funny. I always enjoyed getting caught up in conversation with him at the college cafe and was very lucky to have enjoyed a very small class section taught by him at Stevenson. He will be missed.
Kim Chandler
July 11, 2011
I remember Carlos being one of my favorite Philosophy teachers at UCSC. He will be missed.
Jonathan Kupetz
July 11, 2011
Carlos was a great teacher, provost, and friend to students. He fostered the intellectual quality of Stevenson College. He will sorely be missed.
Robert Valente
July 11, 2011
Carlos Norena was my very first professor at UCSC in 1975
Kim Kay
July 11, 2011
Carlos was such a warm, welcoming presence at Stevenson, possessing both a great sense of humor and a sharp intellect. I will always remember him very fondly. - Kim (Stevenson, Class of 1997)
Carol & Dan Olmstead
July 11, 2011
Dear Friend - we will miss your wonderfulness so much. Thank you for blessing the Cliff Street Family with your presence, humor, intelligence and Spanish charm for 18 grand years!
Love, Carol & Dan
Roberto Marlowe
July 10, 2011
Carlos used to say that he used to remember me sitting in the middle of Moore Street, equidistant from his house and from my parents' house, worried that a car might suddenly come along and hit me. And I can remember once dropping by, years later, and enjoying his handmade gazpacho. And I remember spending a few warm days at the beach with Little Carlos (now Professor Norena) and Maria and Victoria on the coast of Spain. And I remember once attending one of Carlos's lectures in an undergraduate class at perhaps Stevenson College. He was happily surprised and smiled pleasantly upon catching a glimpse of me (the little boy in the street) sitting in one of the first rows. He later told me that he liked to challenge the students and encourage them to think criically about dogmatic teachings to which they might have been exposed earlier in their lives. And I'll never forget his wondering curiously why a payphone was out of order in downtown Madrid when I happened to meet up with him while studying abroad at the Complutense Unviersity. But what I'll never forget are his cheerful smile, truly unique sense of humor, strong Castellano accent, and wry doubts about an afterlife. Sayonara Carlos!
emerita barreiro
July 10, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Wally Goldfrank
July 9, 2011
Lois & I send our deeply felt condolences to the entire Noreña family, especially to Maria and to Victoria. My warmest memories of Carlos come from two distinct periods. In the early years of Merrill, we bonded over our love of Spain and sadness about its tragic 20th-century history, although our political differences could not have been much greater. Then, in the 90's, we sat together on the Council of Provosts, where Carlos's was often the wisest voice in the room. Un fuerte abrazo.
Vivian Simon
July 9, 2011
His Philosophy class at UCSC was one of my favorites. He had such a great personality, and the issues we discussed were relevant to us young adults. I'm sorry to hear this.
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