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Elias Ruben Gutierrez
1942 - 2023
Elias Ruben Gutierrez
1942 - 2023
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Elias Gutierrez Obituary
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Elías Rubén Gutiérrez was born July 3, 1942 in New York, New York. He lived there during the early years of his life alongside younger brothers Daniel and Felipe.
Tragedy struck and their father passed away from Tuberculosis at an early age in 1945. Unable to support all three children Tomasita (biological mother) was faced with the terrible choice, but opportunity, to send Elías to Puerto Rico, and to be raised by his father’s sister Aunt Rosario (Sayito) Gutierrez de Coca and husband Marcelino Coca. They raised him as their own son and provided him with an education and instilled in him the values for honesty, ethics, and professionalism. He went to study Economics and Urban Planning at the University of Puerto Rico, and then went on to earn a Ph. D. at Cornell University, in Ithaca, N.Y. Joined the faculty as professor at the Graduate School of Planning of the U.P.R., eventually becoming its director and continued its development until his retirement in 2019, after 50 years.
Elías was a respected economist between Puerto Rico and the mainland US. He served on several administrations in the island as an economic policy advisor. He was also a published author of economy books like “El futuro sobre el tapete” and the short stories’ book “Detrás del sofa”. Founder member of the Association of Economists of P.R. He loved teaching, developing, and implementing economic models. He was known for predicting economic events impact.
Elías first married in circa 1962 to our mother, Evelyn Rivera. They had Francisco (1966), Juan Carlos (1969) and Ruben (1972). They raised their children in Puerto Rico until their divorce in 1982. He 1994 remarried to Rocio Montalvo, Sta. Teresita high school classmate. They enjoyed a very happy marriage until Rocio’s untimely passing in 2017. This loss was immediately followed by Hurricane Maria, forced Elias to leave his home in Isla Verde and go to Houston for several months. These events took a toll on his health. In 2022, he was diagnosed with advanced Parkinson’s disease. He spent the last year of his life in Houston surrounded by his family, sons and granddaughters.
He is survived by his sons Francisco Xavier, Juan Carlos and Rubén Alberto, daughters in law, Martha, Tracy, and Tina; granddaughters Sophia, Caitlyn, Kristina, Noelle, and Emily; his brothers Daniel and Felipe Gutierrez; and Rocio’s sons Sean and Scott Sayers.
12 Entries
Gerard Cruz
September 26, 2023
"Crea caos para crear orden" , eso fue una de sus célebres frases que escondía una gran enseñanza. Y el la aplicaba cada día. Elias era una mente prodigiosa y mejor aún tenía un gran corazón.
Rose Mari Bernier
March 27, 2023
El Dr. Elias Gutierrez, respetado en nuestro pais como destacado economista y planificador. Le conoci como profesor en la Escuela Graduada de Planificacion. Es una gran perdida tanto para su familia y seres queridos, pero tambien el pais pierde. Nos solidarizamos con todos.
Orlando y Naida Fabre
March 25, 2023
It has been beautiful and heart full to see you all together to celebrate graduation day for Elias. We will always remember his laughter and awesome spirit. May God’s blessings be with you all. We love you all!!
Jose Toral Muñoz
March 25, 2023
Elías fue un renacentista. Admirado colega y cietífico social. Una gran pérdida para Puerto Rico. Que Dios te acoja en su seno.
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Jose M. Auger
March 25, 2023
Elías fue mi mentor, mi profesor y un gran amigo. No hay palabras que puedan expresar mi sentir ante su partida. Fue un hombre de principios claros y firmes. Sus contribuciones a la academia, a la profesión, a la enseñanza y al pueblo de Puerto Rico, han sido enormes. Ahora descansa en la Gloria. Dios lo bendiga y le de paz y fortaleza a su familia. Esto no es una despedida si no un hasta luego.
Carlota Agudo
March 25, 2023
No hay palabras, pero si recuerdos
Doy gracias a Elias por su amistad de tantos años, tanto para mi como para mi hermano Ibrahim, su padrino de confirmación (DEP), y especialmente por el amor y cuidado que le dió a mi mejor amiga Rocio espero estén de nuevo juntos por una eternidad.
Pablo M. Calero
March 25, 2023
Francisco "Drake", Juan Carlos, Rubén y familiares de don Elías:
La vida tiene un valor y es el valor que le damos cuando la vida empleamos en el servicio al prójimo -de tantas formas y maneras- una de ellas es el servicio a la Patria. Así sirvió Elías a Dios. Dios nuestro Padre sabe el inicio, el final, el camino, la forma, la hora, el lugar, y el porqué. Seguramente Él ya acogió a Elías en su reino.
Un fuerte abrazo,
Pablo M. Calero y familia
Rocio Tello de Meneses Montalvo
March 25, 2023
Ya estás con Tatá (Rocío), tito Elías. Te queremos.
Antonio Perez
March 24, 2023
Elias was loved and respected by all who knew him. I feel very sad about his passing and want to give his family my condolences . RIP.
Carlos Alvarado
March 23, 2023
I feel very sad for Elías passing, but at the same time quite honored to be able to say that I considered him a friend. A conversation with him always included interesting subjects about economics (of course), sociology, history, etc., but besides that, in many occasions we ended up talking and dreaming about the simple human side of life and things. Elías was a remarkable human being and a great professional, and we will all miss him. Puerto Rico and the whole planet need more people like him.
Carol Ricon
March 23, 2023
Mi mas sentido pesame a toda la familia. Tuve el privilegio de conocer a su padre por mi esposo, era fascinante escucharlo hablar. Descanse en Paz y Brille la luz perpetua.
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