Santiago Vanegas

Santiago Vanegas, 94, a native of Bogotá, Columbia and a resident of Madera for the last 3 years, passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021.

Santiago Vanegas Lasprilla was born in Bogota, the child of Colonel Rafael Vanegas Umana and his wife, Maria Lasprilla de Vanegas, members of the elite.  Dr. Santiago began his studies at the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolome and in 1946 he entered the Escuela Militar de Cadetes where he remained until 1948. Then, he entered the School of Economic and Legal Sciences of the prestigious Pontificia Javeriana University where he studied law until October 21, 1953, when he graduated with a thesis entitled "Societies" to which he was awarded the highest grade. Father Gabriel Giraldo took the oath and awarded him the degree of Doctor of Juridical Sciences. On August 27, 1954, he was appointed by the Inspector-General of the Nation as the Seventh Superior Prosecutor, a position he exercised with great efficiency and wisdom where he stood out with great success, obtaining many victories in different cases he tried, and showing his quality as a jurist. In 1956 he traveled to Europe invited by the Prosecutor of the Superior Court of Madrid, Spain to give a lecture on the judicial organization of Colombia. The conference was successful and received applause. The Inspector General in his congratulatory message was pleased that a delegate from Colombia had been invited to the conference and had put the name of our country in the high place. He left this position on September 15, 1958, after the Minister of War, General Alberto Ruiz Novoa appointed him as Justice of the Superior Military Court, a position he held from October 3, 1958 to October 25, 1963. He also held the position of Eighth Superior Judge where he also stood out for his chivalry, dedication, and responsibility. We truly feel his absence, his ability to relate to people, his generosity, his example, he was a great family member and a wonderful friend of his friends may God rests his soul in eternal peace.

Santiago was preceded by his parents Rafael and Aura Vanegas, along with his two sister and two brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Ofelia Vanegas of Madera. He leaves behind his children, Jim Vanegas and his wife Kathy of North Ridge, CA, John Vanegas and his wife Meredith of Parker, CO, Maria Isabel Knobloch and her husband Patrick of Madera and Monica Dannas and her husband Par of Thousand Oaks, CA. Santiago was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Golden Valley School District Foundation, 37479 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93636, The City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 donors@stjude.org

Jay Chapel in charge of arrangements.