Remembering Luis Andres Salas

July 30, 1925 - January 30, 2025

Luis " Lou" Salas, surrounded by family, passed away peacefully January 30, 2025, age 99, at Worthington Manor in Conroe, Texas, where he received exceptional care. He is preceded in death by Virginia "Ginny" Salas, his lovely wife of 63 years and mother of their five children. He is survived by his three sons: Andrew, Robert and Thomas; two daughters: Joan and Patricia; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

Lou was born July 30, 1925 to Andres and Carmela Salas in Lima, Peru. He enjoyed being a big brother to his sister, Carmela Amparo Crosthwait, now recently deceased, and they remained close throughout their lives. He immigrated to the US at age 18 and studied architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY between 1944-49. There he played violin in the orchestra and actively participated in social and academic clubs. Early in his college career, through mutual friends, he met Ginny Sturges, a beautiful, brilliantly-minded English major at Russell Sage College. He quickly became enamored with her, escorting her to various college dances and “soirees.” She often tutored him, improving his language skills that ultimately helped him get through RPI’s rigorous curriculum. The two made a handsome pair: Lou with his dark, Latin complexion and Ginny with her “All American girl next door” look.

Upon graduation, Lou received a promising offer from Chicago Bridge and Iron (CB&I), who needed a bilingual engineer/architect to support the South American (SA) projects. He took the job that summer, married his sweetheart in NYC, and celebrated a short honeymoon before relocating to Trinidad while Ginny remained in the States for a year.

Ginny joined Lou in Port of Spain, Trinidad the following year, living with the construction crew while taking on the cook role without pay. Later, they relocated to Venezuela, where he worked with the large US refineries, contracting to build the petroleum infrastructure. Living in a small mobile trailer, his young wife adapted, and they welcomed their first son in 1951, incrementally having two more boys one year apart. The warm, tropical climate was difficult to tolerate, yet they begrudgingly stayed strong. After four years in the fields, they settled in a house in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela and welcomed a precious baby girl. Several years later, while refineries were nationalized by the government, they moved to Puerto Rico, where private schools and the climate were a significant improvement. A few years later, he was reassigned to Miami, rewarding Ginny with a “comfortable” home near good schools and nearby SA acquaintances. To everyone’s surprise, in 1965, they welcomed another beautiful baby girl. After one final move in 1986 to Houston, Lou retired in 1995, concluding a 45-year career with CB&I of exemplary dedication. He and Ginny continued their civic responsibilities with AARP, organizing field trips, political advocacy and fundraising. Moreover, he regularly played violin with the St. Maximilian Kolbe Church choir, expanding his friendships and spiritual devotion. Lou and Ginny cherished their visits with family and always looked forward to hearing about the lives of their children and grandchildren.

Lou, also known as the “Captain” for his passion for the sea, spent many weekends in his younger years sailing, fishing and diving with family, friends and coworkers . He even transported his beloved sailboat, Antares, first from Miami to Clear Lake, TX and later to Lake Conroe, TX. He will be missed dearly by all who were blessed to know him. “Fair winds and following seas,” may you find everlasting peace with God at the helm. Bon voyage, Dad. 

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