Tino Archuleta, local businessman and Catholic Charities supporter, dies at age 92

By Veronica Ambuul

COLORADO SPRINGS. Celestino “Tino” Archuleta, who served on the first board of directors of Colorado Springs Catholic Social Services, died April 11 at age 92. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 24 at Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, followed by burial at Caernero Creek Cemetery in La Garita.

Archuleta was born April 7, 1932, in La Garita in the San Luis Valley. He was one of 13 children born to Delfina and Benigno Archuleta. After graduating high school in Center, Colorado in 1952, Celestino served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then received a B.A. degree from Adams State College in 1959 with extended self-research course studies in theoretical mathematics and physics. He later augmented his education by taking courses in advanced physics, including Quantum physics, at the University of Colorado Extension Center in Colorado Springs, now the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Upon graduating from Adam State College, Celestino taught advanced mathematics and physics in Colorado at Walsenburg High School for one year while waiting for an opportunity to start his career in the field of science.

In 1960, Archuleta and his wife Marcella moved to Colorado Springs, where he began work as a staff research scientist for Kaman Sciences Corporation, a division of Kaman Aircraft Corporation. While at Kaman, he worked on nationally recognized programs, participating and managing projects for scientific research and computer-based modeling in nuclear effects, including nuclear missile defense war games.

When Father Don Dunn was given the task of creating a board of directors for a Catholic Charities office in Colorado Springs, he reached out to the Latin American Educational Foundation, of which Archuleta was a member.  In a 2018 interview with The Colorado Catholic Herald, Archuleta recalled meeting Father Dunn and appreciating the young priest’s desire to help the Hispanic community. When Father Dunn asked him to head up a committee to research migrant adjustment from rural life as part of this new Catholic social organization, he enthusiastically accepted.

“I think he (Father Dunn) was really dedicated to doing something for Hispanics,” Archuleta said. “I remember having a lot of discussions with him as to what could be done.” Archuleta served for two years on the first board of directors of Colorado Springs Catholic Social Services, which became Catholic Charities of Central Colorado. Roughly 35 years later, he and Marcella were named honorary chairpersons of the capital campaign to build a new Marian House Soup Kitchen.

In 1980, Archuleta started his own company, National Systems & Research Company (NSR), specializing in information system development and information system operation support for contracts with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration among other government agencies.

After serving over 20 years as President and CEO, he retired in 2003 when he sold NSR. After retirement, Archuleta maintained an interest in business by establishing and providing oversight of Second Wind Enterprises, LLC, a commercial leasing company.

Archuleta was preceded in death by his wife Marcella; his parents; and his ten sisters and two brothers.

He is survived by his children Cathy, Dennis (Moira), Anthony (Rhoda), Paul (Donna) and Maria (Barry); his grandchildren Nicholas, Katherine (Tim), Nathan (Nicole), Carolyn (Trevor), Alex, Ryan, Landon, Oscar (Harley) and Joseph (Amy); and his great-grandchildren Benjamin, Ariana, Oliver, Sam, Luna, Emma, Francisco, and Ander.