Alfonso Victor Peña

Victor was born on February 1, 1938 in El Paso, Texas, the son Juan and Ofelia Alvarez Peña. He is survived by daughters Stefanie Anne Raymond (Louis Raymond), Angelica Denise Peña (Dr. Kenneth Sternberg), and six Grandchildren: Sofia Anne Raymond, Davis Charles Raymond, and Georgia Louise Raymond; Jack Davis Vaughn, Alexander Creed Vaughn, and Elias Bryan Vaughn. He is also survived by his siblings: Leticia (Peña) Rodella, Robert Peña, Oscar Peña, David Peña, Michael Peña, René Peña and James Peña, as well as many Texas in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His brothers, Juan Peña and Ernie Peña preceded him in death.

He met Ilse Stefanie Anna Falge when a 1st Lieutenant, in Munich, Germany, and they were married in 1964 at the United States Army’s 24th Infantry Division Chapel in Sheridan Kaserne, Augsburg, West Germany. They had a long and enduring love for each other and were the ideal military couple.

Victor attended Cathedral High School in El Paso and then went on to college at both Texas A&M and University of Texas at El Paso. Upon graduation, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming an Army soldier. His assignments took him to Vietnam, Georgia, Germany, Spain, Kansas, Korea, Virginia and several posts in Washington, DC. He earned the high honor of a Bronze Star in Vietnam, as well as many other awards and rose to the rank of a U.S. Army Colonel. He had a passion for commanding troops and treated them like family. After a distinguished military career, he retired after 26 years and began working in the private sector in Defense contracting.

Victor valued his family above all else, so the move to Charlottesville, VA in 2006 was no surprise. They both wanted to live near their daughters’ families and see their grandchildren on a regular basis. From volunteering as a Boy Scout Troop leader, to being their grandchildren’s most enthusiastic (and loudest) supporter; he cheered them on at swim meets, lacrosse games, field hockey, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and built many a pine car derby car. He had many interests including woodworking, politics, miniature schnauzers, grilling, his beloved backyard birds, German beer, Rioja wine and reading. He was an active member of the local Military Officers Association of America, the local Republican party and a faithful Catholic as part of St. Thomas Aquinas Parrish. He was extremely patriotic, and the US flag could always be seen flying proudly at his home.

Funeral Arrangement are as follows:

A memorial mass for Alfonso Victor Peña

2/18/2023, 1:00 PM

St. Thomas Aquinas University Parrish

401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, VA

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alfonso Victor Peña, may be made to:

St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish

The Building Fund

401 Alderman Road,

Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Or,

The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

P. O. Box 4469

Washington, D. C. 20017

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teaguefuneralhome.com for the Peña family.