Ignacio Arango's Obituary
Dr. Ignacio Arango-Greiffenstein passed away on April 23, 2026, in Oakland, California. Ignacio was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1933, educated by the Jesuits, and earned his Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from MIT, then his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, specializing in Geotechnical Studies. He actively studied dams, bridges and nuclear power plants worldwide.
Dr. Arango’s career highlights include studying the Aswan Dam in Egypt, and a containment plan for Chernobyl following the nuclear meltdown. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Valerie; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Lori; his two grandchildren, Kyle and Caitlin; and his sister, Clara.
Private services will be held for family members only.
Our friend, Andrew Liu, shares his memories of Ignacio’s life.
Memories of Dr. Ignacio Arango
It turns out everything I’ve come to know about Ignacio Arango—both as a human being and a professional—was rooted in a lesson I learned before I ever shook his hand in person. In the late 1990s, as a graduate student at UCLA, I submitted a manuscript on soil liquefaction to the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. When the feedback arrived from three anonymous reviewers, I was met with very different perspectives: one was dismissive, another impartial, but the third was transformative. This mystery third reviewer provided substantive, meaningful suggestions that challenged me to reconsider my approach, but most importantly to resubmit my manuscript after I did. It was a vital lesson I carry with me still: that the most meaningful achievements rarely happen on the first attempt, and that true growth often requires the patience to endure multiple tries and iterations before reaching excellence. Beyond the technical guidance, this reviewer also had a sharp eye for detail—the reviewer had gently circled every instance where I, in my twenty-two-year-old haste, had mistakenly spelled "Arango" with two “r”s in my citations.
In April of 2001, as a freshly minted graduate (and now published author thanks to the guidance of reviewer number 3), I started my first day at Bechtel Corporation on 50 Beale Street in San Francisco. I was excited to walk through the building my first week and find a corner office with the name plate on the door that read Ignacio Arango, Principal Vice President. The office was empty that day. As a brash young engineer, I walked by Ignacio’s office a few times that week to see if I could catch a glimpse of him, and when I finally did, I knocked on the door and introduced myself not knowing the protocols of corporate America and approaching executives. Ignacio was nothing but gracious and welcoming; very inquisitive about my educational background and what I had studied and researched. When I mentioned my article in the Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, he paused, and had that look on his face I’ve come to know so well over the years when he is thinking, and then said “you know, that sounds familiar.” It was at that moment that it dawned on me that Ignacio was the mystery third reviewer, and not until I write this memory did it come together that his wise insight and genuine encouragement to me as a complete stranger continued to carry through the rest of my relationship, and that it must have touched many others in our profession and his daily life as well.
Little did I know from that April day in 2001 that my meeting Ignacio would evolve from a relationship of seeing him as an industry luminary who I had a chance to meet, to a boss, then mentor, and ultimately as a friend and what I would consider family. In the ensuing years after that initial meeting, Ignacio and I would have chances to work together many times; him teaching, and myself learning by doing. In 2003 I was saddened that after such a short period of time working together, Ignacio announced his retirement. As a token of
appreciation, I took Ignacio and his wife Val to a retirement dinner at Scott’s in Jack London Square. I think back fondly, and also chuckle, when parting after dinner Ignacio said “ok, I’ll see you in the office on Monday.” I remember being confused as to why somebody who just retired would return to the office the following week! I did not question it though as I was just relieved to hear that I would still be able to learn from Ignacio.
A short time later, Ignacio and I had the opportunity to commute from Oakland to San Jose for a whole year in 2004 to 2005 for the BART to San Jose extension. During those drives and occasional dinners at Casa de los Arangos that followed, our bond deepened through stories that have stayed with me for decades. I remember Ignacio explaining the necessity of having a "Godfather" within a company—someone to navigate the politics and champion your growth. Looking back, I realize he has been the only true Godfather in my career. There was also his favorite "party trick," where he’d show me off because I had an excellent memory and could remember the name of every single person in a room. Some twenty-five years later, as the years have caught up with me, that sharp memory has faded, a humble reminder of growing older, but the warmth of those moments remains crystal clear. The dinners with him and Val introduced me to a world of fascinating people; I’ve heard stories of and met individuals who expanded my horizons in ways I never expected. It was also at these dinners that Ignacio introduced me to his famous martinis—they will always be special to me, and I’ve since passed that tradition on, introducing them to my own friends as a tribute to those nights.
Well after I moved away from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ignacio and Val have continued to be present for the most significant milestones of my life, including my wedding, where they rightfully won the prize for the longest-married couple—a testament to a lifetime of partnership. That partnership served as a profound role model for my own marriage. Over the years, my wife Michelle developed a wonderful relationship with Val through shared recipes and a mutual love of cooking. Watching Ignacio, I learned the silent, happy duty of a husband: that after my wife finishes the cooking, it is my joy to wash the dishes, just as I’ve watched Ignacio do while talking and laughing with Val. As a father, Ignacio has been equally influential. Hearing him speak so proudly and fondly of his son, David, over the years gave me a blueprint for the kind of dad I wanted to be.
The memories extend to my children as well. Each of our three sons has crawled across Ignacio and Val’s rug in the living room and shared in the magic of their home, like the time their faces lit up with Ignacio’s smoking Santa decoration. I’ll never forget Ignacio sitting with my two older sons, patiently teaching them how to play the electronic game that requires you to turn the toy as it calls out the colors. The confused looks on their face at first were so endearing, but with his encouragement, they eventually found the rhythm. I still cherish a
video of my oldest son finally succeeding, with the sound of Ignacio’s enthusiastic clapping and cheering in the background just as he has done throughout my career and personal life.
While my relationship with Ignacio began over twenty-five years ago as a professional one centered on geotechnical engineering, it evolved into something far more profound. He became my blueprint for how to be a better leader, a stronger husband, and a devoted father. Most importantly, he taught me how to move through the world with grace, especially when others make mistakes. For years, it has been a particular pet peeve of mine when people would misspell my last name. After all, it is a mere three letters. But now, with Ignacio’s passing, that same error brings me a sense of peace. It brings me full circle to the kindness he showed me before he even knew my name; and so, the next time I see Liu mispelled, I won’t get upset. I’ll simply smile, think of Ignacio, and gently circle the word —just as he did for me.
What’s your fondest memory of Ignacio?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ignacio?
Share a story where Ignacio's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ignacio you’ll never forget.
How did Ignacio make you smile?