Mr. Jose L. Gonzalez passed away Friday, September 8, 2006 at the age of 82. Mr. Gonzalez graduated from the University of Notre Dame with the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1950, followed by a Master of Public Health degree from John Hopkins University in 1964. He will be remembered for his leadership in developing the Laredo-Webb County Health Department, often cited for its achievements in communicable disease control, health promotion and chronic disease prevention, and innovation programs in environmental health. In addition to his national and international service in environmental health, Mr. Gonzalez served as a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization, as well as for the Center for Disease Control. He was Vice-President of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Association, member of the Texas Health Advisory Committee, and an affiliate with the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation. His dedication to the Roman Catholic Church was acclaimed by his transition into a Papal Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. He served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Force in the Aleutian Islands, and later served with the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Lieut. in Laredo, Texas. He more recently was active in leading the Rio Bravo Foundation, to improve the health of residents in the U.S./Mexican Border, along with, the "Nuestra Gente" project which focused on improving living conditions for the "colonias" on the border. Mr. Gonzalez dedicated his life to the University of Notre Dame by being the Notre Dame recruiter of South Texas for 21 years. He passionately recruited young scholars eligible to attend Notre Dame, in addition to committing himself to the Hispanic Board of Alumni for 15 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margarita V. Gonzalez.
Mr. Gonzalez is survived his daughters, Alejandra G. (Arthur) Brady, Gabriela G. (James Joseph) Tawil and his grandchildren, Ryan Joseph Brady, Joseph Jakob and Elliott James Tawil. He is also survived by his brother, Ignacio (Mercedes) Gonzalez, brother and sister-in-law, Jorge and Olga Verduzco, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.