 DINIZ, ELVIDIO OLAVO VIDALITO BERNARDINO Elvidio Olavo Vidalito Bernardino Diniz died unexpectedly in Goa, India on September 5, 2014. He is survived by Sara Otto-Diniz, wife of 39 years; children Cecilia Diniz Behn (Kurtis Diniz Behn) of Golden, CO and Gabriel Bernard Diniz of Los Angeles, CA; grandson Conrad Diniz Behn; mother Argentina C. Diniz of Goa, India; sisters Lia Diniz Pocrnich and Elzimira Diniz Mackenzie (David Mackenzie); sisters-in-law Elizabeth Otto (Doris Fasbender); Deborah Otto James (David James); and nephews and nieces Michael Pocrnich, Robyn Pocrnich, Kerry-Ann Mackenzie, Alistair Mackenzie, Amber James (Andrew Schless), Auburn James, and Daniel Gutmaker-Otto. Elvidio was preceded in death by his father Elotino C. Diniz, and brother Edmundo Sebastiano (Seby) Diniz. Elvidio was born on December 30, 1946 in Goa, India and grew up in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. In 1964, he came to the United States to attend Catholic University in Washington, DC where he majored in civil engineering. He earned an MS in civil engineering/water resources from the University of New Mexico in 1970, and completed additional graduate coursework at the University of Texas at Austin. Elvidio was a Registered Professional Engineer in New Mexico and Texas; a Diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers; and the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 6 Governor from New Mexico. He began his professional career in Texas, and joined the Albuquerque engineering community in 1978. In 1981, Elvidio launched his own water resources engineering firm, Resource Technology Inc., and ran it for over 25 years. He specialized in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, floodplain mapping, and erosion/sediment control studies. In addition to his professional contributions, Elvidio's activities as a course instructor, adjunct faculty member at UNM, and NM State Science Fair judge illustrated his commitment to fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists. Elvidio loved the outdoors whether he was surveying a floodplain, fixing up his cabin in the Sangre de Cristos, or fishing on a lake in Ontario. He was a soccer player, coach, and indiscriminate fan of the beautiful game. Both his personal and professional life were marked by profound integrity, and he had a deep and abiding commitment to his family. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, most recently a parishioner at the Aquinas Newman Center. Elvidio was buried on September 6, 2014 in Goa, India. A memorial Mass will be held at Risen Savior Catholic Community on September 20, 2014 at 10:00 am. The New Mexico Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has set up a scholarship in his name and will match all donations. The checks should be written to: ASCE Memorial Fund and sent to 5030 Justin Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114.
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