Dr. Miguel Rios, Jr.

Born on July 18, 1941, in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Miguel Ríos, Jr. embodied the dreams of his immigrant parents, earning a PhD in Experimental Nuclear Physics early in life to become a highly successful entrepreneur. His drive was only matched by his devotion, and he served his faith as a devout Catholic and was knighted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. His life stands as a testament to resilience, overcoming obstacles, and achieving remarkable success.

Miguel's academic journey began after graduating from Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas leaving behind a legacy of friendship, leadership, and academic excellence. He attended Texas A&M for two years before relocating his parents and siblings to Los Angeles, California, to help provide them with more opportunities. By 1971, his pursuit of knowledge led him to earn degrees in the sciences, including a Bachelor's in Physics from the University of Southern California, a Master's in Physics from California State University in Los Angeles, and ultimately his doctorate from the University of Maryland. He worked for two years as a postdoctoral fellow for the Kellogg Laboratory in nuclear astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology and served as an assistant professor at the California Polytechnic Institute (CALPOLY). Notably, Miguel was the first Mexican American in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in this field.

In 1975, Miguel (often addressed as Dr. Ríos) and his wife, María Estela, and three children, Miguel, Benjamín, and newborn Eva, relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to join Sandia National Laboratories as a member of the Nuclear Weapons/Reactors Surety team and later with the Research and Development team in the Solar Energy Division supporting new advances in photovoltaics. For a decade, he worked as a physicist at the labs until his entrepreneurial spirit led him and his wife, María Estela, to establish their own company, Orion International Technologies, followed by subsidiaries Orion Information Technologies and Orion Technical Services. At its height, ORION was regularly listed among the country's top Hispanic High-Tech firms by Hispanic Business magazine. He secured one of the largest contracts with Los Alamos National Laboratory, along with numerous other agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense and Energy. Under Dr. Ríos's leadership, ORION grew into a thriving company with its corporate office in Albuquerque and operations expanding across the nation and into Puerto Rico. Dr. Ríos's leadership and vision epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit, creating numerous opportunities for his organization and his community. He was recognized as an outstanding role model by both New Mexico and U.S. Hispanic businesses and was one of the founding members of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, a testament to his significant contributions to the Hispanic business community.

Miguel's contributions to science were extensive, as he conducted pioneering research in stellar nucleosynthesis with Nobel Laureate William Fowler and collaborated with the late Senator Pete Domenici on the Human Genome Project, having served as president of the National Center for Genomic Research (NCGR) in Santa Fe. He also left a lasting legacy for future scientists by serving as Secretary-Treasurer in 1975-76 and later as President in 1977-1979 for the for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), established in 1971 by a group of progressive scientists who recognized the need to diversify this nation's scientific workforce through increasing the numbers of Hispanics and Native Americans in scientific professions.

Miguel's life was enriched through his love of books, his passion for travel, and his dedication to supporting various artists from Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and the United States. His home is a vibrant reflection of these passions, with his library, the heart of his residence, showcasing his extensive collection. He also considered himself a sportsman and enjoyed hunting with his young sons and close friends. His zest for life and diverse interests made him a truly remarkable individual.

Miguel's profound devotion to his faith was beautifully underscored by a special audience with Pope Francis during a recent visit to the Vatican. His unwavering commitment to his community was evident through his extensive philanthropy and years of dedicated service. Together, Miguel and María Estela epitomized gracious hospitality, frequently opening their home to support a wide array of educational and cultural initiatives, as well as political leaders who represented their values and social beliefs.

In 1968, Miguel found his soulmate in María Estela Lopez. Their union was a marriage and a partnership that flourished in love, respect, and mutual support. They were blessed with four children: Miguel III, Benjamín Tomás, Eva Angelica, and Magdalena Anastacia. Above all, Miguel cherished his role as a father and grandfather. He often delighted his family by dressing up as Peter Rabbit during Easter or playing the role of Santa Claus at Christmas, creating some of their most treasured memories. His boundless love as a grandfather was evident in his frequent attendance at his grandchildren's sporting events, recitals, and graduations. Tragically, Miguel and María Estela faced the heartbreaking loss of their teenage son, Benjamín Tomás, who was honored with the naming of the Ben Ríos Soccer Field at St. Pius X High School.

Miguel's love for his family was evident in every aspect of his life, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him.

Miguel is survived by his beloved wife, María Estela de Ríos; his children: Miguel III, Eva Angelica and her husband Jesus Manuel Ornelas, Magdalena Anastacia and her husband Steve Eugene Torrance; and his grandchildren: Aislinn Jean, Estevan Tomás, Arianna Valene, Agustín Benito, and Celestina Giselle. He is also survived by his siblings: Fernando Ríos, Dolores Solares, and Marta Alicia Romo. He was predeceased by his son Benjamín Tomás, and his parents, Miguel Ríos Sr. and Felicitas Ríos.