Dr. Ivo Domínguez-Rodríguez
October 10, 1930 - April 18, 2025
Dr. Ivo Domínguez-Rodríguez, loving husband, father, and devoted grandfather, died peacefully on April 18, 2025, in Newark, DE, with his loving family by his side.
Ivo was born on October 10, 1930 in Palma Soriano, Cuba to the late Clemente and Julia (Rodríguez) Domínguez. He lived in Santiago de Cuba for ten years where he studied and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the Instituto of Santiago and a Doctoral Degree in Civil and Business Law at the University of Oriente. He practiced law for five years until the dictator Fidel Castro closed the law schools and declared lawyers potential enemies of the Cuban Revolution.
Ivo was accused of being a counter revolutionary and without any trial he was put in jail, and the Cuban government as a collateral penalty confiscated his law firm, his properties and everything of value that he owned at that time. He was released from prison in June of 1961 and soon after, in July 1961, he left Cuba for Madrid, Spain where his parents were living. He decided to emigrate with his family to the USA and arrived in New York City in late September of 1961. He moved to Tampa, FL in 1962 where he worked and studied at the University of South Florida and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature in 1965. From 1965 until 1970 he resided in Tallahassee, FL where he did Graduate Studies at Florida State University, receiving a Master’s Degree in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature in 1969.
In 1970 Ivo was hired by the University of Delaware as a professor of Spanish Language and Literature, teaching upper level courses on “Medieval Spanish”, “Prose and Lyric Poetry of the Spanish Golden Age”, Miguel de Cervantes “Don Quijote”, and courses on “Culture and Civilization of Spain”. He authored two books on Cervantes’ “Don Quijote” and his “Novelas Ejemplares”. He published several articles in periodicals from the USA, Spain, England, México, and Uruguay. He also gave numerous lectures on the Literature, Culture, and Civilization of Spain and Latin America in national and international conferences. Ivo was a pioneer in Study Abroad Programs and during his tenure at the University of Delaware he developed and initiated both the full semester and winter session programs in Spain, Costa Rica, and México.
Ivo was an avid reader of literature and history throughout his life. His main hobbies were traveling and collecting newly issued USA stamps, but he also enjoyed watching sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. After his arrival in Delaware he became a loyal fan of the UD football team, attending all home games and travelling to most of the away games. He was an active member of the Blue Hens Touch Down Club and the Basketball Club of UD. Ivo retired in 2000 after 30 years of teaching and service to the University of Delaware and decided to stay in Newark to be close to his beloved daughter Carmen, his grandchildren Brett and Brooke, and his son-in-law, friend, and football companion Bruce Finnicum.
Ivo was married to Carmen Barrueco Domínguez with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. They were inseparable and completely devoted to each other. Their love story began when they were neighbors as children, and it continued until she was called in 2005 to be with God in his heavenly kingdom. Ivo’s grandchildren were a great source of love, pride, and a constant pleasure, and he enjoyed each of their accomplishments.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, Rentilio, Israel, Radamés Domínguez, and his sister Isla Ferret. Ivo will be sadly missed by his daughter Carmen Finnicum and her husband Bruce of Newark and his sister Ivia Junco of Tampa, FL. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Brett and Brooke, his nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
The church service and internment will be held privately. A celebration of life for Ivo will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ivo’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here.
Carol Bruce
My mentor, friend, father of my sister. I always admired him, looked up to him. I will miss my dear Dr. Dominguez. His beautiful soul is now reunited with Mama Carmen. How Blessed I’ve been. Thank you.
Russ Crook
Ivo was a dear friend to all, and it was always a joy to see him at Blue Hen Touchdown Club meetings. He was a genuine, kind person and he led a most distinguished life. Ivo, we will miss you!
Bob Myers
I am a better man for having known your father. My condolences to you and the family. I can’t say enough about him and his good manner and how much I respected him..
Marcey and Mark Eisen
Carmen, Bruce and family
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your dad. I know you all had an amazing relationship. Hopefully once the initial/ sad period of mourning his loss becomes a memory, you will find peace and comfort in remembering all of the wonderful memories you created together. Again.. we’re so sorry !
Marcey and Mark
Penni Frassico
As a retiree of the Textbook dept of the UD Bookstore, it was my pleasure to often assist Dr Dominguez in retaining textbooks for his courses. He was always, no matter the circumstances, a kindly faculty member. If he were to see me outside of the Bookstore, on campus somewhere, he always made it a point to say hello. My sincere condolences to his Daughter and family.
José Grave de Peralta
As a student of Professor Dominguez in the Spanish Department of UD, I am saddened by the loss of his physical presence. He made it possible in very short notice for me to enter the Master’s program in 1987 and remained a close friend ever after, guiding me through the years and visiting me in Rome and Madrid several Times. I am privileged to have learned to read in the original Spanish Cervantes’ novel “Don Quixote” — no easy feat — as well as Jorge Manrique’s “Verses of Eulogy on the death of his father,” and the epic poem of EL CID, which as my great professor underlined for the class, in contrast with BEOWULF and THE SONG OF ROLAND, Great epic poems of England and France, does not feature REVENGE as the driving force of its hero.
At the end of most of his classes, he was want to bid us his farewell with his typically humorous quip: “Si Dios quiere y el diablo no se interpone”— that is, “If God wills, and the Devil doesn’t get in the way”.
May he rest in peace and may his family and friends find in his memory, to paraphrase Jorge Manrique’s “Verses” — rich consolation!
Constance P. Cecil
Dear Ivo, you will be missed – every time that we met, a big smile on your face and a hug. I looked forward to seeing you.
I miss you already.
God Bless
Conie
William Lario
My longtime dear friend of my wife Vicki and I as well as our children will surely be missed. We love you Ivo’s and will cherish your memories forever
Nicolas P. Gross
Sit terra levis (= Latin RIP) May the earth lie gently upon him.
Tania Rosello Leone
My sincere condolences to you, Camy, and your entire family. I fondly remember my teacher, my mentor, the first Cuban I met in the land of freedom. Thanks to him, I became passionate about the mystical literature of the Golden Age. Rest in peace, dear Ivo.
Harold and Bobbin Smith
Evo was the epitome gentleman, a true friend who always made you feel important. Your friendship and presence will be missed. RIP Evo.
Mary & Bob Wherry
RIP Ivo – you certainly were a great neighbor at BLUE Hen Football games as you ALWAYS answered all of my questions!! May God BLESS your family!! YOU will be missed!!🙏
Jim skeans
I didn’t know him that well except for the Touchdown Club meetings and our bus trips . He would always meet you with a smile and a good hand shake. I Do know he loved his glass of wine so here to Ivo.
Sam
Tuve el Dr. Dominguez como profe en La Universidad de Delaware.
Nos demandó lo mejor y nos ofreció lo mejor
DEP
Natalia Amelotti and Nicolás Del Vecchio
We had the pleasure of meeting Dr Ivo Dominguez and seeing him again in 2020 during a University of Delaware study abroad program in Buenos Aires, which we coordinated with his beloved daughter, Carmen. It was a joy to share conversations with him, travel together to Iguazú, and enjoy the moments we spent in his company. Our condolences to Carmen and her family. We will always cherish the memory of an exceptional man.
Sammy Schomer
Rest in peace Tio. Matthew 5:4 says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” While I am saddened, I am reminded of all of the good he brought to everyone he touched. My fondest memories are that of a kind and gentle soul who spoke softly but eloquently. I continue to be inspired by the way he carried himself as a gentleman and a sharp dresser. He was well educated and had a true purpose and passion for life as a family man and a top rated educator. You will be missed but your legacy remains.
Vilma Lazo-Butera
Dr. Ivo Dominguez was more than just a professor—he was a true mentor. Carmen, my heartfelt condolences to you, my dear friend, and to your entire family.
I had the honor of meeting Dr. Dominguez during an undergraduate class I took, and I absolutely loved it. He was a professor who combined professionalism with genuine warmth. Thanks to that class and the opportunity to know such a remarkable educator, I was inspired and able to pursue my graduate studies, for which I will always be grateful.
Even more meaningful, through that experience I was fortunate to form a beautiful friendship with his daughter, Carmen—a kind, strong, and generous soul who carries her father’s legacy with grace and heart.
Maggie Finnicum Rieder and Family
Dearest Carmen, Your father was a wonderful man. I count myself lucky to have reconnected with you and Bruce and then was able to meet and spend time with your father. My memories of him are of a kind, caring, very charming and avid Blue Hens fan! I have always liked this quote by Winnie the Pooh that might fit here: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Love, Maggie, Kevin, Sofie, Calliope and Drexel
Amalia Veitia
A very Good Friend for many years
Sarah Vieni-Vento
A true educator at heart, Dr. Dominguez offered me invaluable mentorship and support. He was always quick to share a word of advice—or a laugh, often both at once. I learned so much from him and will always be grateful for his belief in me. His legacy lives on in the many students he inspired. The world is better because of him.