Hernando Vanegas

Hernando Vanegas, 86, a resident of Viera, passed away on July 22 with loved ones by his side.

Hernando was a loving and devoted husband, father and a passionate, self-taught sculptor, painter and musician.

He was born on November  27, 1937 in Santa Fe de Bogotá, a son of the late Jorge Alfredo Vanegas and Emma Echeverri. On March 2, 1958, he was united in marriage to his love, Elsa Graciela Mora. The couple resided in Colombia, later moving to various cities of the US and back to various cities and towns in Colombia, with their final resting place in Viera, Florida.

Hernando played guitar, accordion, piano, marimba and any instrument that intrigued him from a young age. He was in a band that was broadcast on a local radio station that Elsa listened to before he met her, unknowingly a fan of her future husband. At the behest of his father, he pursued a career in finance over his desire to be an architect. He went on to support his family by working for decades as a comptroller for Avianca Airlines. But he continued to play music, as well as create art in various media such as sculptures and paintings throughout his life.

In his extensive travels and research, Hernando mastered creating sculptures of his own design and of paintings after the masters. One of his statutes was commissioned by a museum in Colombia for its courtyard entrance. A Colombian TV channel once interviewed him as part of a panel about his art, and he had multiple art exhibits in the states and Colombia with millions of viewers. He went on to win prizes for his photographs, such as one featuring Colombia's flag at a building in Key Biscayne, Florida and was featured in L’Art's international art magazine with the likes of Botero, Dali, and Picasso.

Hernando and Elsa were married for 63 years until she passed in July of 2020. He remained devoted to his love for her by creating a bust of her for ashes to be by his side.

Hernando is survived by his and Elsa's four children: Jeannie, Connie, William, Catherine and their loving families.

A private family service to honor Hernando will be held on the first anniversary of his passing .