Dionel Emilio Aviles

Dr. Avilés was born to Dionisio Aviles and Dolores Rios Aviles in Ponce, Puerto Rico on February 17, 1932. Dr. Avilés is preceded in death by his father, Dionisio Aviles; mother Dolores Rios and brother Norman Aviles. He is survived by his wife Barbara Brooks Aviiles, children Dino Aviles, Marta Hamilton, D’Ann Aviles Love, Rachelle Koster Folsom and grandchildren Thomas Aviles; Megan, Bridget and Brian Hamilton; Trip Love; and Jacquline and Leah Folsom.

Dr. Avilés ‘53 received Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1954, 1961 and 1966, respectively. Dr. Avilés served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and later furthered his education at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of Major General in 1993.

In 1981, he founded Avilés Engineering Corp., specializing in geotechnical engineering and exploration. Over the years, Avilés Engineering has been instrumental in projects such as Houston’s Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium (Reliant Stadium), Bush Intercontinental Airport and the METRO Transit Authority. Dr. Avilés served in many positions of leadership within engineering professional societies, such as the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Professional Engineers and as a Fellow in the Society of American Military Engineers. He was named “Engineer of the Year for the State of Texas” in 1998 by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

Dr. Avilés volunteered his time to Texas A&M, serving on the Corps of Cadets Development Council, the Texas A&M Hispanic Network and the President’s Board of Visitors. In 1997, he was appointed to the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System by President George W. Bush. In 2004, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of Texas A&M University by The Association of Former Students. That same year, he was inducted into the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. Additionally, he served higher education and Texas as a member of the Houston Community College System Foundation Board of Directors and served his country by Presidential Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors and as a member of the United States Postal Commission.

Along with his wife, Barbara, he was a loyal supporter of Texas A&M academics including establishing a President’s Endowed Scholarship, a General Rudder Corps Scholarship, a Sul Ross Corps Scholarship, a Geotechnical Scholarship in Civil Engineering, the Avilès Military History Library Endowment and an athletic scholarship through the 12th Man Foundation.

His many public service commitments extended to the local, state and national levels and included professional, charitable, cultural, and education organizations and federal agencies. He served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and as President of the Coastal Water Authority.

Visitation hours will be Thursday, March 16th from 4:00-7:00pm. The funeral service for Dr. Aviles will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston at 3:00pm, Friday, March 18th.

Donations in honor of Dr. Aviles can be made to:

A&M Foundation – Corps of Cadets

979-845-7604

Attn: Matt Jennings

TAMU 1256

College Station, Texas 77843-1256

A&M Foundation – College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Feline Research

979-845-9043

Attn: Dr. Bubba Woytek

TAMU 4461

College Station, Texas 77843-4461