Dr. Pablo Arenaz

September 9, 1950 - October 3, 2024

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Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services

1320 Trey Dr.

Laredo, Texas 78041

(956) 723-3611 |

Thursday 10/17, 11:00 am

Make a Memorial Donation

Dr. Pablo Arenaz Endowment at Texas A&M International University:

Donate Now

Dr. Pablo Arenaz

On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Pablo Arenaz, loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather left this world suddenly at the age of 74.

Pablo was born September 9, 1950 in Reno, Nevada. He was the oldest of four children to Marjorie and Pablo Arenaz. He spent his career in academia, dedicated to scientific research and leadership. Pablo married Norma on December 4, 1987 and they enjoyed 37 beautiful years together. Pablo was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and was an active member of United Baptist Church. He loved to watch sports and old movies. He loved to share random trivia about the golden age of film and 1960’s music and sports. He was a great listener. He enjoyed traveling with Norma. He could trace his history to the Basque Country of northern Spain, and on one trip to Spain, he tracked down and visited relatives. Pablo had a special relationship with his granddaughter, Auri. She was his soft-spot and he couldn’t say no to another story or extra treat. He is famous in his family for his red and green Christmas pancakes and his Christmas Eve reading of “The Night Before Christmas”.

Pablo has served as the President of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) since 2016. Prior to joining TAMIU as Provost in 2008, Pablo served as Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Other UTEP posts included Vice Provost, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for the Colleges of Science and Engineering. He completed his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University; his M.S. in Biology from the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR); and, his B.S. in Education was also earned at UNR. He conducted postdoctoral research at Temple University’s School of Medicine, Fels Research Institute.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pablo is survived by his wife, Norma; children, Jonathan (Georgie), Cristina, Rebekah, and Pablo Arenaz III; grandchildren, Sophia, Travis, and Auri; brothers, Mike (Cami), Mark (Jann), and David (Mayra) Arenaz; and many wonderful extended family and friends.

The memorial service will begin at 11 am on Thursday, October 17th at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, Pablo’s family has requested that Memorial Gifts be made to the Dr. Pablo Arenaz Endowment at Texas A&M International University: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1930/lg20/form.aspx?sid=1930&gid=2&pgid=1050&cid=3148

Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services

1320 Trey Dr.

Laredo, Texas 78041

(956) 723-3611 | Map

Thursday 10/17, 11:00 am

Make a Memorial Donation

Dr. Pablo Arenaz Endowment at Texas A&M International University:

Donate Now

Dr. Pablo Arenaz On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Pablo Arenaz, loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather left this world suddenly at the age of 74. Pablo was born September 9, 1950 in Reno, Nevada. He was the oldest of four children to Marjorie and Pablo Arenaz. He spent his career in academia, dedicated toContinue Reading

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Ruth and I send our heartfelt condolences to Pablo's wife and family.

I had the honor of working with Dr. Pablo Arenaz. He was a dear colleague. I always have fond memories of him for his generosity and understanding. I send my sincere condolences to his entire family.

We are deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family encountered. Our thought and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. May Jesus bring peace, comfort and healing to your heart. It is hard to forget someone like Pablo who gave you so much to remember. His gentle demeanor, compassionate heart, kindness and love for our Lord will always be in our memory. He had touched so many lives and brought such happiness to everyone around him. He will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts. He may be gone from our sight, but never from our heart. While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to see him in heaven. One day, we shall see each other again.

From the Ramirez Family (Carolina, Lydia, and Danny), we send our heartfelt condolences to Pablo's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing brother Arenaz while a member at United Baptist Church. He was caring, loving, and generous. We got to enjoy his cooking during the men’s fellowship breakfasts. More importantly, he would bring us a Bible study that always demonstrated his knowledge and conviction to God’s word. Every fellowship breakfast was a blessing, I’ll always remember that. Dr. Arenaz was very humble and dedicated to the service of our Lord. Despite his many responsibilities at the university, he made time to lead our church in many leadership capacities. I will miss him, but have the assurance that we will one day meet again. He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Thank you brother. We pray that our Lord will continue to bring peace and strength to the family.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

All of us at Texas A&M were stunned when we learned of Pablo's passing. He was such a wonderful man and a world-class educator and administrator. We grieve with his family, friends, and campus colleagues and are so very sorry for your loss. The legacy he leaves behind is a rich and impactful one. We all lost a great man and a great friend. God Bless You Pablo. Welcome home...

I had the honor to meet him once at United Baptist Church.

Pablo was a good friend and class mate from our days at Tom Williams, through our days at JD Smith and on the Rancho High School. He will be missed and forever remembered for the wonderful person he was then and for what he has become since then.

I appreciate the influence that your family has been in my life. I have really enjoyed getting to know Rebekah and Pablo. President Arenaz will truly be missed. I am so sorry.

I was greatly saddened to learn of Dr. Pablo Arenaz’s passing. We served together in the Provost’s Office at the University of Texas at El Paso between 2005-2010. He was a warm and much appreciated colleague, friend, and neighbor. He taught me much about border communities and the important role that our public universities play in expending opportunities for our students and their families. He was an important leader in El Paso and in Laredo, and all of us privileged to have known him will remember that he always led with a smile. My wife Karen and I send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Norma, and his children.

Dr. Seth Sampson and I were deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Arenaz's passing. His loss will be felt profoundly by the TAMIU community. We have cherished memories of spending time with Dr. Arenaz and his wife at the Chancellor's Summit. Their warmth, kindness, and sense of humor were truly inspiring. Throughout our years at TAMIU, we have admired Dr. Arenaz's exceptional leadership and genuine concern for students and faculty. His positive spirit will be sorely missed. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.

It is with great sadness I heard about the passing of Dr. Pablo Arenaz. He was always kind and courteous in all our exchanges. A polite and decent man, with a sharp sense of humor. He was a gentleman and the university was well-served by him in his capacity as Provost and later as President. My sincere condolences to his wife, Norma, and his children. He will be missed.

Dr. Arenaz, thank you for your remarkable leadership. You will truly be missed. Every student who has had the pleasure of shaking your hand as they walk across the stage is a testament to your dedication to higher education. It has been an honor serving as Student Body President under your guidance at TAMIU, and I will continue striving for excellence while showcasing the many opportunities we've had because of you. TAMIU will never be the same without you Dust em forever!

Dear Arenaz family and friends, Please receive our heartfelt condolences on the untimely passing of Dr. Pablo Arenaz. He was a beloved educational leader who worked tirelessly for underserved students and their families. Dr. Arenaz will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.

In memory of Dr. Pablo Arenaz, Vijay lit a candle

Dr. Arenaz, Thank you for your guidance and leadership for the TAMIU community. Until we meet again, your kindheartedness will be missed.

I wish I had the words to comfort the Arenaz family for their loss. I can only say I share your pain, and I grieve with you. Pablo was my president, but also my colleague and dear friend. All my best to you, Norma, and you, Rebekah, and to your siblings I have not met personally. Pablo's legacy will live forever at our university. Gracias, Pablo.

My heartfelt wishes for comfort go out to the family and close friends of Dr. Arenaz. He will be greatly missed--his leadership and his presence alike. When I first came to TAMIU in Fall 2017, he sat next to me at a welcome dinner for new faculty. I didn't know what to expect, so I was a little intimidated at first. I suppose we all have our own ideas in our heads of what we expect an administrator to be like. In reality, Dr. Arenaz was personable, friendly, encouraging, and easy to talk to. He pleasantly changed my mind about what to expect from administrators. He is the example, by which all other administrators on campus are compared, in my perspective. He set the tone for the University. While I did not know him well, he would always acknowledge my presence, smile, say hello, and ask me how things were going. He really cared about his faculty, students, and the success of TAMIU. My deepest condolences.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.