Rufino Cruz Vinluan - Obituary

ufino C. Vinluan, Jr., 78, a retired Professional Engineer who designed sections of the Washington D.C. subway system during the first part of his career of 38-years with Parsons Corporation (formerly known as Ralph M. Parsons Company) and notably as part of the Parsons Engineering Science Team in Fairfax, VA that provided the structural engineering design for the deep foundations supporting the Woodrow Wilson Bridge replacement project during the latter part of his career before retiring as a Parsons Consultant of 6-years at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, died November 14, 2020 at 6:45 p.m. at the George Washington University Hospital. His death, from a stroke, was confirmed by his family at his bedside. Engineer Vinluan was a longtime Oxon Hill resident. He was born Rufino Cruz Vinluan, Jr. on May 16, 1942, to a farming family in Aliminos (City), Pangasinan (Province), and resided in San Carlos (City) in the Philippines as eldest of 10 children to Philippine Army Sargent Rufino Vinluan, Sr and Esther Vinluan. With the goal of gaining U.S. citizenship, he graduated from FEATI University in Manila, Philippines, worked and passed his engineering Board Exam to the surprise of his father who granted his military service scholarship to his son to take Veterinary medicine, fell in love and got married shortly after obtaining U.S. visa and travelling to California, U.S.A. in June 1968 and one week later travelled to Washington, D.C. where he planned to join and then married his wife Helen S. Vinluan. Rufino Vinluan III, also a Structural Engineer, said in an interview: “He did it his way. My best friend, my love, my dad. Rest in Peace in God’s care.” Buddy Vinluan, also a Parsons Civil Engineer and Certified Construction Manager, described his father “He always did work to perfection,” and “was only satisfied with the very best,” and echoed the sentiments of many who knew him well: “He was always a happy man. He is now at peace in heaven, I have no doubt! That will bring comfort in these trying times.” Engineer Rufino C. Vinluan, Jr. served on assignments around the world, including in Telaviv, Israel and Yanbu City, Saudi Arabia and travelled to the Philippines with his family from time to time in addition to several trips to Italy, Greece and other destinations in Europe. He belonged to several professional engineering associations and was a founding member of several Filipino cultural organizations. At St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton, MD he sang as if he was in the Choir and had an open invitation to join but never did. Survivors include his wife of 51-years, Helen S. Vinluan of National Harbor, MD; children, Rufino J. Vinluan, III and Joyce Vinluan both of Fort Washington, MD., and Vladimir (Buddy) V. Vinluan of National Harbor, MD; grandchildren Gabriella, Nico, Rocco; two brothers; seven sisters to name a few. Please follow local guidelines for COVID-19. Face Masks and the proper social distancing. A maximum of 50 individuals can be in the facility at any given time. Thank you.