Carlos Adolfo Colmenares

Carlos Adolfo Colmenares died Sept. 8 from complications of pneumonia. He was 81.

Colmenares was born on June 17, 1932 in Ocana, Colombia, South America to Meliton and Anita Colmenares. He attended and graduated from high school in Colombia, going on to win a scholarship to study chemistry at UC Berkeley. He completed a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry and chemical engineering in 1953. Colmanares went on to become a U.S. citizen as well as earning a master's degree in 1956 from Washington State University and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. in 1960. He was a passionate student and expert in his field. He also served as a professor while at Washington State and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Colmenares was a 40-year employee of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He started at the Laboratory in 1960 and enjoyed working as a research chemist until his retirement in 2000.

Colmenares was an avid reader of history, greatly appreciated classical music and the Arts, and enjoyed gardening, nature and wildlife. He was known for his generous character and kind disposition and made a significant difference to the lives of many.

He is survived by his daughters Sonya Dinsley and Julia Colmenares-Stewart and brothers Alvaro, Armando and Fernando Colmenares. He also leaves relatives in California and the United States, South America and Europe.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Monday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Oakmont Redwood Chapel, 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, Calif. 94549, (925) 935-3311.