Remembering two good friends and coworkers

Caltech Physical Plant employees José and Maria Villegas were killed in a car accident with an alleged drunk driver on their way to work August 10. Their many friends and colleagues in the Caltech community will miss them. The suspect, who has prior DUI convictions, is being charged with murder in connection with the accident.

“I knew both of [the Villegases], but I knew Maria for a longer time. I met her when I started nine years ago and I got to know her better in the last three years. We spent breaks together and talked. She was a good person, always happy and smiling. She was the kind of person who always got along with everyone. She had a good sense of humor and was very friendly, too.”
—Socorro Mendez, third floor, Kerkhoff

“José was always nice and cheerful. He was always industrious and anxious to get going. That helped because he would lift our morale. When we got paired up, it was easier for me to get into the work because he always put a lot of energy into it. That way it was easier and quicker. He was always here early and he was always ready to lend a hand and pitch in.”
—Mauro Hernandez, Beckman Institute

“[José] was a very friendly man. You could get to know him in 15 minutes. You couldn’t ask for a better person to work with. He was an awfully nice person. We got along very well when we worked together, and Maria was the same.”
—John Bennett, Beckman Institute

“They were two of my best workers. Both of them were always able and willing to do any work at any time. They were very dependable and very friendly.”
—Maria Delgado, custodial supervisor

“Maria was a warm and outgoing person who always had something nice to say. My family was close to her, as were many people on campus. She typified the best of Caltech’s employees.”
— Steve Koonin, Caltech provost

A note of thanks

On behalf of the Villegas family, we are truly grateful and touched by the kindness the staff, students, and everyone at Caltech have expressed to us.

Our parents sincerely enjoyed, and were proud to work at, Caltech. They would share stories about how wonderful the students were to them and how much they liked their coworkers. They treasured their friendships with the members of the Caltech family.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They have given us strength and helped ease our spirits. We are grateful and will always remember your acts of compassion and love.

Sincerely,
The Villegas Family