Rafael Lecuona

Dr Rafael Lecuona passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2014, in San Antonio, on an evening marked by family, friends and music. A public memorial service will take place at Texas A&M International University on Monday, June 16, 2014, at 6PM CST, in the Student Center Ballroom. ! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that interested persons consider a donation to the Dr. Rafael Lecuona Memorial Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M International University. The link is giving.tamiu.edu ! Rafael was born on June 2, 1928, in Havana Cuba, to Josefina Asencio Diaz and Fernando Lecuona Casado. He was the nephew of renowned Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. One of Rafael's earliest jobs in Havana was as assistant cashier at the Romeo y Julieta cigar factory in Havana. Rafael spent much of his younger years in athletic competitions, from street sports to those at a more organized level. He was a member of a group of gymnast enthusiasts, who taught themselves gymnastic techniques by studying a film they had acquired of the 1936 German Olympic team. Making their own gymnastics equipment, they were able to compete in the Olympics, and Rafael went on to represent Cuba in the 1948 Olympic games in London, the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, and the 1956 Games in Melbourne. He also took part in the Pan-American games in Buenos Aires (1951), and Mexico City (1955). At the 1951 Games, he received a gold medal in the pommel horse event, and a silver medal overall, and in 1955 a silver medal in the pommel horse. At the 1951 Pan-American games Rafael made contact with the American Olympian Bill Roetzheim, and this resulted in a scholarship to Florida State University. At Florida State, he was a member of the gymnastics team 1953-1956, serving as team captain in his last year, leading FSU to national championships. Wikipedia credits him as the first person to introduce to the United States the Russian Moor dismount (pommel horse). In a 1954 FSU competition with the Swedish Olympic team, he received one of the highest scores recorded for the side horse. In 1956, Rafael was named to the All-American gymnastics team, pommel event. Rafael was further honored as Athlete of the Year in Cuba. After graduating from FSU in 1957 with a degree in businessadvertising, Rafael married, started a family and worked at a number of jobs, until he landed a position at the University Grants Office, which allowed him to continue his education. After Fidel Castro's takeover of Cuba in 1959, he became a US citizen and acquired an interest in politics, earning a masters degree in Political Science in 1968, and a PhD two years later. In 1970 Rafael moved with his family to Laredo, where he became a founding member of the faculty at Texas A&I at Laredo, now Texas A&M International University. His many articles and published works appeared in newspapers and international trade journals. At the university, he became the first Chair of Arts & Sciences. He retired in 2002, after service of 32 years, as Professor Emeritus. During retirement, he traveled with his wife and family to many countries in South and Central America, Asia, and Europe. He continued to write and publish articles, as well as translate and contribute to a special book entitled, "Ernesto Lecuona, the Genius and his Music." He never returned to Cuba. Rafael took part in numerous community endeavors in Laredo, served on civic boards, and was a frequent guest commentator on local elections and international politics. He was most proud of his active association with two organizations related to the interests of his sons, as well as hundreds of young athletes from the area -- coaching the Del Mar Little League, and the Laredo Swim Club. Rafael was pre-deceased by his parents, and his sister, Ilba. He is survived by his wife Diana Lecuona, his sons Mark R Lecuona and Miguel R (Barbara) Lecuona, and their mother Joan Hagle Gates; grandchildren Price Lecuona and Wren Lecuona; step-children Monica (David) Jeffery; Jacqueline (Joseph) Dennington; step-grandchildren Brittany Meloy, Katherine and Jennifer Dennington; and by his brother Fernando (Linda) Lecuona and numerous nieces and nephews.