Hernan Arostegui

Hernan Arostegui passed away peacefully at his home in Metairie on June 12, 2022 at the age of 93. He was born in Bluefields, Nicaragua and was a resident of Metairie for 55 years. He was a parishioner of St. Angela Merici Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Aura Elisa Arostegui.

Hernan first came to New Orleans in 1948 to attend Tulane University from which he graduated in 1951 with a degree in Journalism. Upon graduating, he began working for the International House in New Orleans. In 1963, Hernan and his family moved to Managua, Nicaragua wherein he worked as the Press Secretary for President Rene Schick from 1963-1967. In 1967, Hernan and his family moved back to New Orleans.

Hernan especially loved the sport of baseball and in the 1950’s worked as a professional scout for the Houston Colt 45’s, scouting Central America and the Caribbean regions for talent. He loved playing softball which he continued playing well into his 60’s. In 1967, he began working for Pan American Life Insurance Company and became a Vice President of Advertising and Sales Promotions for the Latin American Department. He had a very successful 32 year career with Pan American. Hernan was a voracious reader and he would routinely read 2 to 3 books simultaneously. He leaves in his home a library containing hundreds of books which he had read. Hernan was a loving son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather. Our father and mother were truly soul mates. They traveled the world together. Hernan was an extremely generous and caring person which is evidenced by the fact that he opened the doors to his home and housed many young relatives when they came to New Orleans from Central America to study and attend grammar school, high school and college. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and he never passed up the opportunity to smoke a good cigar.

Hernan is survived by his four children, Sandra A. Smith (Ron), Alejandro E. Arostegui (Martha), Eduardo H. Arostegui (Patty) and Roberto R. Arostegui (Jeanne), 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Alejandro and Alicia Real Arostegui; one grandchild, Ronnie Smith, Jr.; and one great grandchild, Ana Alicia Wagner. His family wishes to thank the many people who participated in his care over the years, especially Passages Hospice, Zoila, Mirna and Karla.

Funeral services were held privately for immediate family only on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Aura Elisa, in All Saints Mausoleum in New Orleans.