Roll Call Tribute

Daniel Anthony Penaloza
November 15, 1942 - December 10, 2021

Daniel Anthony Penaloza passed into the arms of the Lord on Friday, December 10, 2021 with his wife, Rose, at his side. Dan left a big footprint in many people’s lives, especially with his two children, Andrea Michele Penaloza and husband Patrick Sheehan, son Daniel Anthony Penaloza II '88 and his wife Shelley Cordray Penaloza, and his beloved grandchildren: Dylan Thomas Sheehan, Daniel ”Anthony” Penaloza III, and Jordan Renee Penaloza.

Born in San Antonio on November 15, 1942, he was a descendant of two signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Corsicans Juan Navarro and Francisco Ruiz. In San Antonio, he attended Catholic schools and was well known at Central Catholic High School for his sports prowess. He was the only graduate in his class to letter in all three major sports and was All-State in Basketball for 2 years.

Dan attended The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Now Texas A&M University) and was a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets which instilled in him the sense of honor and dignity that he carried throughout his life. He was in Squadron 10 (nicknamed Thunderbird 10, or T-bird 10). He has remained lifelong friends with many of his T-Bird 10 buddies. While studying Civil Engineering at A&M, Dan lettered in Southwest Conference Track and was proud to be a Texas A&M Letterman. Dan joined the Marine Corps while in college, but after marriage, joined the Reserves. But he was a Marine at heart and Semper Fi was his watchword.

Professionally, Dan was a registered Civil Engineer and began his career with the City of Los Angeles. He worked for several other companies over the years, but his time with METRO made a community impact and at his final career position with the Harris County Toll Road Authority, he was an integral part of the design and contracts for the rebuild of I-10 in Houston.

Dan loved his family more than anything. He was married to Rose (Rose Mary Knight) when they were both 20 years old and they had 58 years of marriage where they shared their lives, their love, their home, their travels, and the joys and sorrows that are all part of a good life. Dan encouraged his Mother-in-Law to move in with them as she grew older and he was the most caring son-in-law ever.

Dan was a great father who loved his kids fiercely, but he expected them to be respectful and good human beings. He gave them everything they needed and a lot of things they wanted. He never judged them and let them be themselves. They did not disappoint. Dan never missed a recital, school or sporting event, Daniel’s motocross races, and allowed Andrea and Daniel to attend a significant number of ‘80’s rock concerts (with the exception of KISS concerts for Andrea). Dan was proud to witness the graduation events for Andrea (Sam Houston State University – Marketing) and Daniel (Texas A&M University – Biomedical Science). As their father, he created the “legacy” of the Superman/Superdad/Superstar Cartoon Character that ALWAYS generated a laugh when presented on a napkin or piece of paper.

Dan retired early so that he could spend more time with the grandkids. He was always available when called upon by his daughter or favorite daughter-in-law for kids’ doctor appointments, after school pick-ups, school events (including as school field trip chaperone), parties, and an occasional “kid” errand. Dan would say his greatest accomplishment was to just be “Pops” to all his grandkids and their friends. He and Rose took many trips with just the grandkids: road trips to the east and to the west, cruises, a two-week trip to Italy and France (and not on a tour – but on planes, trains, and automobiles). He and Rose took them as far as Moscow and the Baltic. Dylan, Anthony, and Jordan shared many laughs with Pops, and sometimes an adult beverage or two in a foreign country.

Rose was a story onto its own. They met at the beginning of their sophomore year in high school, and neither met anyone who measured up. They were married at the beginning of Dan’s senior year at A&M. Theirs was a love story that was an open book. Everyone who knew them could tell of their deep and abiding love for each other. Dan would do ANYTHING for Rose and he knew she would do anything for him. Dan loved to “hold court” at the dining room table, plying family and friends with wine and Rose’s good cooking. He loved traveling to new places and trying adventurous things like white water rafting, and hot air balloon rides. Together Dan and Rose traveled east to China and west to Moscow, north to Alaska and south to Argentina, and places in-between. Italy was a destination that they returned to over and over and loved driving the back roads, often ending up in towns where no one spoke English. They always said, “If don’t know where you’re going, you can’t get lost.”) Dan’s beloved 1996 Mercedes sports car was the choice for long US road trips – and there were many.

Outside of work and family, Dan was devoted to his church and parish, St. Matthew the Evangelist, where he and Rose were among the first families. Dan was never a volunteer, but when asked, he always agreed and then found ways to delegate the work. Most recently, Dan served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee, and he had (uncharacteristically) offered to help oversee the construction of a new facility at the parish. He was an Instituted Acolyte and helped the priest with services over the years. Dan was also on the Board of the Rolling Fork Public Utility District where his expertise as a Civil Engineer and his organization skills were on full display. Dan never imposed his will on anyone, but always made a solid case for his point of view. He got a secret joy from watching people who opposed his ideas resort to what he had suggested in the first place.

Dan had a quick and wicked sense of humor. He had an easy smile and was a good friend to many. He will be missed by so many, but recently had told Rose that he needed to die first because he couldn’t do it without her. Your wish came true, Dan. Goodbye, dear Dan.