On March 9, 2015, Louis F. Villanueva passed away peacefully at Hospice of North Idaho in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Louis Villanueva served with pride in the U.S. Navy for three years at the end of World War II. He then accepted a scholarship to attend Stanford University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He majored in geology and minored in petroleum engineering. After graduation, Louis worked for the United States Geological Survey at Menlo Park, and in 1956 joined Tidewater Associated Oil Company.

Louis worked in domestic and international oil and gas exploration and production for 36 years, with the last 12 years in management. During these years, he spent time internationally in northwest Africa, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. Within the U.S. his employment had him relocate to Ventura, Bakersfield, Houston and Huntington Beach.

Louis moved to Santa Barbara after retiring from Texaco in 1985, but was recruited and hired by the City of Long Beach in 1986 to work in management for six years as a division engineer. After his second retirement, Louis lived in Santa Barbara, Roseville, and Coeur d'Alene.

During the years he was actively working in his profession, Louis was a licensed and registered geologist in California, a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Stanford Geological Society, the Los Angeles Geological Society, and the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists. He was President of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, California Section, during 1970-71, and served as President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Pacific Section, during 1978-79.

Coming from humble origins, Louis was proud of the hard work that led to his many accomplishments. His father was a migrant farm worker in the 1920s, and both parents, born in Mexico, became naturalized United States citizens. His parents, especially his mother, taught their children the importance of education and assimilation into the North American culture in order to obtain the American dream - a prize he earned.

Louis is preceded in death by his son, Erik Villanueva, who passed away in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Shelley Villanueva; children Alia (Linda) Villanueva, Joanie Villanueva, David Villanueva, Dianne Olswang-Peck, Jeff Tyler, Jerry Tyler, and Joel Tyler; and 15 grandchildren.

Louis will be remembered in a private gathering of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a tax deductible gift to Hospice of North Idaho, www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org/giving/.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Louis' online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.