Albuquerque, New Mexico
Apr 10, 1955 – Mar 8, 2010 (Age 55)
Hector Avalos Torres, 54, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010. Hector was preceded in death by his father, Raph Q. Torres. He is survived by his mother, Dolores A. Torres; brother, Raph A. Torres, wife, Isela Gloria; sister, Dolores (Dee) P. Iannone, husband, Dr. Bert Iannone. He was a caring uncle who encouraged his nieces and nephews to pursue their dreams and potential. Hector was raised in El Paso, TX and earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986, when he joined the English Department at UNM. He is the author of numerous articles and in 2007, he published, “Conversations with Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Writers.� "Profe" Torres taught and inspired generations of UNM students, many of whom have remained his friends. Dr. Torres was also a central intellectual force within the English Department. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 12, 2010, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at French ~ University location, 1111 University Blvd. NE. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:00 a.m., at Rodey Hall on UNM campus.
I just became aware of Hector's death after conducting some research to reconnect. I am shocked and saddened by the news. I spent the summer of 1980 with Hector in Guadalajara with the Navigators. He was an intelligent and wonderful person. I hope to see him again in his eternal home. Michael/Miguel Ripley
Michael Ripley
December 11, 2024 | Other
It's 11 years since we lost Hector, but I've got to say that I am equally devastated every year on this date. Hector pushed me like no other teacher or professor of my entire life. We also became incredibly close friends between 2000-2008.
Today I am pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on Screenwriting and I would never come to this without Profe having been in my life. What hurts me the most and as I was just telling someone this weekend is that I will never have...
Danni Sonnenberg
March 06, 2021 | Student
