Dr Jose Ignacio Garcia-Bengochea

Gainesville, FL - Dr. Jose Ignacio Garcia-Bengochea, age 95, passed away on May 15, 2023, at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. A private celebration of his life will be held on July 15, 2023, at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida.

Born on June 1, 1927, in Havana, Cuba, Dr. Garcia-Bengochea was the son of Francisco Garcia and Angela Bengochea. He attended the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Havana, specializing in waterworks, following in his father's footsteps. In 1951, he married Carmen Eugenia Fernandez Poyo.

Driven by his faith in God and the vision for his family to live in freedom, Dr. Garcia-Bengochea was among the first to recognize the authoritarian dictatorship in Cuba. In early 1959, he moved his family to the United States. With limited resources, Ignacio and Carmen started anew, raising their five children in Gainesville, Florida. In 1960, he facilitated the immigration from Cuba of his neurosurgeon brother, Francisco Garcia-Bengochea, along with his wife and two children, to Gainesville. In 1960, he earned a Master of Science in Engineering and a Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1963, both from the University of Florida. Ignacio was also committed to community service work with Rotary International, recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Dr. Garcia-Bengochea was recognized internationally as one of the premier civil engineers. In the State of Florida, he was a trailblazer in deep water well injection in South Florida. He dedicated over fifty years of his career as a consulting engineer at CH2M Hill, retiring as Vice President. He undertook projects across the United States, Spain, Central and South America.

Ignacio exemplified Belen Jesuit school's core value of "live to serve," mentoring countless young engineers at CH2M Hill, many of who were Hispanic or other minorities, breaking down barriers long before doing so became fashionable or compulsory. He fostered relationships with everyone, from CEOs to servers, doing so with sincerity, often sending notes of appreciation or to connect. He treated everyone equally, regardless of their position or occupation.

Privately, Ignacio cherished spending time at Crescent Beach with his family, engaging in their sports activities, traveling, reading, and relishing the company of others while savoring good food, wine, and dancing. Ignacio and Carmen's seventy-two-year marriage left a lasting legacy of faithfulness, spirituality, integrity, determination, selfless service, love, and hard work. He had a profound impact on his children, grandchildren, and his entire family through his exemplary character and unfailing wisdom. These heartfelt words best summarize his character at his retirement gala: "I am indebted to many people in our adopted country where I have received so much help, so many blessings, and I have enjoyed a long life. God has been very good to me, my wife Carmen, and our family. God bless this country and all of you."

Dr. Jose Ignacio Garcia-Bengochea is survived by his wife Carmen; children Ignacio, Carmen, Elena, Jorge, and Pedro; niece Maruchi Garcia-Bengochea Schumacher; nephew Javier Garcia-Bengochea; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.