Hector Eulogio Garcia Islas

Héctor Eulogio García went home to Our Lord on August 29th, 2023, after a valiant struggle with brain cancer. Héctor was a Mexican immigrant and American citizen known for his community and civic contributions, also as an author, educator, speaker and friend to all. He was former Executive Director of the MCLA (Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs) for the state of Minnesota. He maintained a wide network of contacts ranging from local community leaders to international representatives. As an inspired and inspiring leader, his voice and warmhearted presence will be missed by many.

Héctor was born in 1943 in Mexico City. His father was Leon García, a Senator in Mexican national politics. His mother was Elena Islas Cataneo. Surviving relatives are his wife Bryana García Olchefske, her siblings, Héctor's remaining cousins in Mexico, Héctor's son David Alexandre García, wife Lolly Coleman García and grandsons, Carter and Blaise.

Educated in several countries, Héctor graduated with a business administration degree in 1967. He started Mex-US Global, a consulting firm focused on improving trade between Mexico, Canada and the US. Hector was a former publisher of Colors Magazine; Chair of Minnesotans for NAFTA; VP International and Domestic Emerging Markets - Wells Fargo, Co-founder & E.D. AHANA (African Hispanic Asian & Native American) Public Policy Forum; regional director, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ); Mexico Liaison for Prudential Bache Securities, NYC, NY; and Consultant for The Economist Intelligence Unit Mexico City.

Héctor insisted on the importance of better communication to solve social problems. He wondered why those in positions of power weren't more open to other points of view, especially from groups who were less privileged. As a result, he declared that, "Minnesota is one of the most generous, philanthropic, civic minded states. So, it's very peculiar that, at the same time, it has one of the worst disparities in education, economic development, health, housing, imprisonment..."

To help remedy that situation Héctor stepped in to create dialogues. He worked with agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to facilitate cross-cultural understanding. While progress was sometimes slow--Héctor commented that immigrants who participated were often more angry at the end of a meeting than when it began--Héctor found ways to transform opposition into productive paths forward. His approach was later recognized as a model now used by the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies for constructive problem-solving.

Among the thinkers Héctor valued--Einstein, Adam Smith, E.F. Schumacher--he had a special appreciation for Mark Twain that reflected his sense of humor, "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Hector's work has been praised for bringing out the hidden wisdom we share along with better thinking and renewed hope.

Héctor served as Executive Director of the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, as a Board member of Catholic Charities and United Way, taught courses for adult continuing education at the University of Minnesota, and co-founded the Twin Cities Immigrant Community Roundtable. Hector was a frequent contributor to local media on issues related to business, immigration and social justice as well as an effective advocate in government and legislative affairs. Héctor was often called on to host public events addressing urgent social issues such as education improvement, employment opportunities and youth violence. His recently published book, Clash or Complement of Cultures? Peace and Productivity in the New Global Reality, is dedicated to all those perceived as "the Other, who are marginalized or mistreated across the world-and to those who are working hard to improve humanity's future through a broader vision and deeper communications and collaboration across perceived barriers."

Héctor was a man of strong Christian faith and a devoted loving husband to his wife Bryana since 1985. He was a brilliant and compassionate person who touched many lives. Héctor never stopped networking and finding ways to make the world better. He also appreciated the wonders of nature as he and Bryana enjoyed hiking, biking, and snowshoeing in Minnesota. He also enjoyed visiting his son David, daughter-in-law Lolly and grandchildren, Carter and Blaise who live in Colorado.

This verse from scripture was a favorite for Héctor and Bryana with words to live by: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

The family of Héctor García requests that any memorial donations in his name be sent to the two non-profit organizations that were close to his heart: Our Lady of Peace, 2076 St Anthony Ave., St Paul, MN 55104 or Casa Guadalupana Sheltered housing for migrants, 507 Hall Ave, St Paul, MN 55107.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 20th, at the First Evangelical Free Church in Maplewood, MN.