Jose Ferrer, January 17, 1921-September 24, 2005

Our precious Jose passed away on Saturday, in his home surrounded by his wife and daughters, ending a journey with enough experiences to fill three lifetimes. To know Jose was to love him. He was sweet, interesting, intelligent, accomplished, and full of life. Jose was born in Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to parents Jose and Fidela. He was the third of four surviving siblings and was raised on the family dairy. In addition to his studies, he spent his days on horseback working as well as delivering milk. A precocious student, Jose was awarded a scholarship to attend high school at a boarding school about 150 kilometers from his home. That was the beginning of a brilliant education. Following high school, he was awarded further scholarships.

In May of 1939, he went to Spain, where he spent his first three months with relatives in his parents’ birthplace, Fuente Guinaldo, Salamanca. In August of 1939, he began his university studies in Barcelona, where conditions were rough due to the recent civil war. Jose then transferred to Rome, Italy, in the summer of 1940, to continue his university studies. Conditions there soon were also difficult; however, he stayed and completed a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate in Classical Languages and Literature. He then taught those subjects until immigrating to the United States in 1951 to pursue further education.

He met his wife, Betty, in 1955. They had a beautiful, loving, and long marriage. He always said that’s when his life really began. Despite the challenge of learning yet another language, Jose earned a Masters and Doctorate in Latin American History from the University of New Mexico, and then began a long teaching career at Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, where he was instrumental in building the Latin American Studies program as well as an exchange program with Guanajuato Mexico. Following his retirement, Jose and Betty moved to California to be near their three daughters and their spouses, seven grandchildren, two great granddaughters, and, of course, the good weather and golf courses. We will miss our precious “gaucho de la pampa and his “Jose-isms,” which are so cute but too numerous to list. We thank all of you who helped us through this very difficult time. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice.