Luis S. Diaz

Luis Suarez Diaz went to be with the Lord at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Born July 24, 1929, in Sama de Langreo, Asturias, Spain, he was the son of Andres and Isabel (Suarez) Diaz.

Luis and his family sought refuge in France during the Spanish Civil War, in which his father fought.  His father was captured and held in a German-run concentration camp in France. He was forced to work until his health gave out, and he died as a result.  In 1942, after Germany had occupied most of France in World War II, the American Friends, a Quaker organization, arranged passage to the United States for 40 Spanish children then living in France.  Luis and two of his brothers were among those children. After arriving in New York at Ellis Island, they were sent to Wisconsin, and Luis attended school there. He graduated near the top of his class from Hartland High School in 1950.

Luis served in the United States Air Force in Weisbaden, Germany, during the Korean War. Throughout his time in the military, he corresponded with Sally Kincaid, a girl he met via a basic training buddy, and after he finished his military service, he moved to Evansville, Indiana, where she lived.  Luis attended Evansville College (now the University of Evansville), and he and Sally were married from 1956 until her death in 2015.

An avid fan of University of Evansville basketball, Castle football, and the Green Bay Packers, Luis retired in 1992 after 28 years as a scheduler-planner for ALCOA. A Past President of the Newburgh Kiwanis, he volunteered for 30 years in Boy Scouts and was awarded the Buffalo and Silver Beaver adult awards for his service. He was also an active member of Newburgh United Methodist Church for 50 years and was a life member of VFW Post #1114 in Evansville. He was a contributor to the book We Came Alone: Children of the War, and his wife wrote the book Child of the Spanish Civil War based on his experiences.

Luis found his greatest joy in life spending time with his family, of whom he was so very proud.  In addition to his parents and his wife, his brothers, Benjamin, Archie, and Corsinin, and sisters Socorro and Ernestina preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, David R. (Deborah) Diaz, M.D., of Fishers, Indiana, and Kathryn A. (John) DiDomizio, of Evansville, Indiana; grandchildren Sarah (Chris) Marra of Indianapolis, Stephen Diaz, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kara, Kristina, Kathleen, Grant, and Garrett DiDomizio, of Evansville; sister Lola Cortadas, of Gers, France; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Titzer Family Funeral Home, Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN, (812) 853-8314. Additional visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday, June 26, 2017, from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. service, which will be officiated by Rev. Chris Nunley. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery with full Military Rites.  Memorial contributions may be made to Historic Newburgh, Inc., and the University of Evansville.  Sympathy wishes to the family may be shared at www.titzerfuneralhomes.com.