Ontiveros, Pete C.
Passed away from this life on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at the age of 80. Born in Houston, Texas, on May 3, 1923, to Tomas Ontiveros and Refugio Campos Ontiveros, he was part of what has been termed "the greatest generation." He served in WWII, where he distinguished himself by earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. As part of the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion of the U.S. Army, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate Nazi concentration camps. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he enrolled in the University of Houston. He graduated in 1948 with a degree in engineering. He devoted the majority of his professional life to the aerospace industry.
At North American Aviation, he designed and developed the Inertial Navigation System for the nuclear submarine fleet. He then joined the Apollo Program, where he developed the test program for the flight control system of Apollo II and later participated in the design, development and test program of the space shuttle's vehicle flight control system. In 1984, he retired from Rockwell International after 32 years of service.
In 1954, he married Carmen Luna; his beloved wife of almost 50 years. They lived together in La Habra, spending over 40 years in the same home, where they raised their six children. He achieved his goal of seeing all his children graduate from college. Throughout his life and during his retirement, he was an avid reader of philosophy, mathematics and military history, as well as an active investor in the stock market. He loved engaging in good conversation with is family and friends.
Pete Ontiveros is survived by his wife, Carmen Luna Ontiveros of La Habra, California; his six children, Cordelia Ontiveros, Pete Ontiveros, Jr., Maria Ontiveros, Tom Ontiveros, Patricia Ontiveros Mathys, and Carlos Ontiveros; five grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lupe Ontiveros, and his brothers, Jesse Ontiveros, Thomas Ontiveros and John Ontiveros. Services have been held.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on 6/3/2003.

Published in the Houston Chronicle on 6/3/2003.