Public Information

Name

Orrantia, Gilbert

Class

2003

Biography

(1917-2012) Born in Clifton, Arizona in 1917. Served in U.S. Army Air Corps with over 50 missions, 1941-1945. Educator, served as foreign language teacher in local high schools for 14 years; as Professor of Foreign Languages at Mesa Community College, 1967-1983. Founding member, Mesa Public Safety Foundation; member on Board of Directors for Senior Citizens, Mesa Housing Authority, and EI Redentor Day Care Center. Volunteer translator for school, church and civic organizations, and Spanish instructor of Peace Corps Volunteers. Sponsored scholarship enabling Mesa High School student to attend Mesa Community College. Founded Los Veteranos in Mesa for Hispanic veterans. Life member, American Legion. Listed in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” in 1947 President-elect, Mesa Education Association. Received Award of Excellence in 1992 from Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens, Martin Luther King “Spirit of Unity” award in 1995, and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 from Latino Town Hall.