James Agustín Castañeda

Chris, it was not una casualidad that today you told me that you had Coco edited a book. I was so happy and so proud to hear this. I shared with you how your wonderful father had sent me books that he had written and autographed for me. Since this happened on the anniversary of his death, this is no coincidence. He is absolutely with us. I am sure he is super proud of you!Un fuerte abrazo primo mío.

Dr. Castaneda was the chaperone for the 1967-68 UNC Year at Lyons (France) program, in which I participated as a senior from Chapel Hill. He was a last-minute replacement for the originally-assigned chaperone.

I was recently creating a brief summary of events in my life and noticed that several people who had been my leaders had passed away. I looked online for the others and was very sad to see that Dr. Castaneda had also died.

I had had no idea that he was such a...

I have very fond memories of Dr. Castaneda. He taught Spanish to my English-speaking wife Ann in 1972. Ann went on to teach Spanish as a volunteer at St. Cecilia Catholic school when my two daughters attended school there in the late 1970s.
I feel very fortunate to have met and come across many high caliber people during my years in Houston. People like James Castaneda, Dr. Walter Rubin and Dr. David Carduz.
Una gran perdida.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and remembrances of my father - it is heart warming to read these notes. Please feel free to contact me directly if you like. Thank you - Chris - [email protected]

¡Qué gran pérdida!

Conocí a D. James Agustín Castañeda, o más bien él me conoció, el 24 de Abril de 1.957.

Ese día vine al mundo en Madrid (España) y Jaime para nosotros es y será siempre "Jamesillo".

Desde entonces y gracias a la profunda amistad que le unió a mi padre José Luis Saavedra durante toda su corta vida, a mi tío Ignacio Saavedra y a mi madre Amelia del Río. Tuve la suerte de tratarle durante todos estos años. LLegué a conocer personalmente, gracias a él, a D....

Para Clara, Chris, Teri y toda la familia Castaneda: Os acompano en el sentimiento. Jim was a very special person in my life & I am proud to be his cousin. I will always remember the wonderful times we had in Spain, Houston & in NYC with our dear "tia Isabel". Gracias, Jim por todo. Ya te hecho muy de menos pero se que Dios te tiene en su gloria.

Dr. Castaneda was my mentor and friend. He was a recognized expert in many fields: generously shared delight in Hispanic studies; volunteered in leadership service to the Institute of Hispanic Culture-- as President, member of the Board, lecturer, committee member, teacher; inspired my son to appreciate his Hispanic heritage; and will never be forgotten by all he knew in this world.