Dinko Cvitanovic, a former UNM professor of Spanish who taught from 1973-1980, died Feb.19 from a heart attack at age 64 in Bah°a Blanca, Argentina.
He is survived by his wife, Nilsa, and his son, Gast¢n Mauricio.
Born in Croatia, Cvitanovic and his family immigrated to Argentina when he was very young. Argentina would be his home for many years. Cvitanovic’s education includes a doctorate at the Universidad de Vallavoid and fellowships at the University of Louvain in Belgium and the Instituto de Cultura Hisp†nica of Madrid.
Cvitanovic’s academic career was spent largely at the Universidad del Sur in Bah°a Blanca where he performed teaching, research and administrative duties. He served as principal investigator of Conicet, Argentina’s national Council for Scientific and Technical Research.
Cvitanovic and his family came to New Mexico in 1973 as a visiting professor of Spanish and Spanish American Letters after the dictatorship in Argentina disrupted the humanities in Argentine universities. He would later receive a full professorship and become an important part of UNM’s Spanish Department.
“He was an excellent scholar, a fine professor and a marvelous friend,” said Marshall Nason, a retired Spanish professor and former director of UNM’s Latin American Institute. “It was one of those friendships, despite the time and distance, the closeness was never lost.”
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What was expected to be a nine-month stay in New Mexico turned into seven years, his wife said.
“We were in love with New Mexico, the time we spent there was very special for us and we were very happy,” Nilsa Cvitanovic said. “The choice to return to Argentina was difficult.”
Cvitanovic and his family returned to Argentina in 1980 after the collapse of the dictatorship allowed the Argentine universities to return to normal activities.
“The Department of Spanish was very unique at the time, we had people from all over.” said Claude Senninger, a retired UNM Spanish professor. “It was our loss when he returned to Argentina after the political situation was better.”
