Arturo Saldaña, 63, of Port Isabel, Texas, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at his residence. Arturo described himself as a “once quiet fire morphed into a blazing inferno”. The proud son of Agustin Guillen and Maria L. Guillen, he worked in the fields at the age of 5 years old. As a young Chicano, he endured many injustices, so he decided to become active in his community and do something about it. He organized protests and led quiet demonstrations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. After college, Arturo joined the Army which sent him to Nuremburg, Germany. His insatiable curiosity, adventurous spirit, and unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to receive teaching certificates in History, English, and psychology. He taught ESL at Brown Junior High School in McAllen, and in the Edinburg High School. Arturo retired from teaching in 2015, after serving 9 years at the Alternative Education Program. His proudest achievement, however, will always be the invaluable work he did as the first Hispanic Regional Field Manager at the Institute of Social Research – Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan. Arturo Saldaña, passionate about life, will also be remembered as an articulate, poised, intelligent man with an easy laugh and mischievous wit. He was also an author and poet whose short stories and poems were published in college journals, anthologies, and newspapers. He participated in poetry events throughout the Rio Grande Valley, Mexico, Austin, and Corpus Christi. He is survived by his siblings, and his loving wife, Julieta Corpus. An intimate memorial service with his ashes will be held at their home in Port Isabel, Texas on Friday, April 1st, 2016 at 6:30 PM. where friends will share the poetry, memories, and anecdotes of an amazing human being. “Rest in peace, Arturo Saldaña, mi corazón, mi amor, mi esposo.” You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Arturo Saldaña at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.