Vico Emanuel Henriques
June 10, 1930 ~ July 17, 2021
Vico Emanuel Henriques, of Arlington, Virginia formerly of Salt Lake City, Utah, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on July 17, 2021. Born on June 10, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah he was the son of the late Douglas E. Henriques and Anna Henriques. Vico’s wife, Patricia A. Henriques (Pat) died in 2020.
Vico was a man of his word and a man of the world. He lived his life driven by a passion for curiosity and a strong desire to expand not only his own world but the one around him. He was proud to be from Salt Lake City and was quick to bring up his love for the Beehive State. During his high school years, Vico was a track and field athlete, avid student, and founded the German club. He was even lovingly referred to as “Otto” by his classmates because of his interest in the German language. After high school, he went on to study political science at the University of Utah.
During his time at the University of Utah, “The U”, Vico was a top competitor for the track and field team running in the 800m and 1600m events. He was also a member of the ROTC, and was called to service in 1952 during the Korean War. Vico made sure everyone knew though, that in 1952 he was invited to the Olympic trials; and was on his way to becoming a Rhodes Scholar. Ultimately, he served in the United States Army, one of his proudest achievements.
Vico served as a Captain in the United States Army in Korea. He was away from “The U” while he was deployed, but he was still actively involved. Vico was passionate about everything he was involved in. During his time in Korea, he was still writing articles to be published in the University of Utah’s student newspaper. The paper he submitted was titled “Korea: A Study in International Politics”. He believed in what he was fighting for and wanted to make sure his peers back home understood the influence it would have on our nation.
After his time in the Army, Vico began his career at the National Bureau of Standards in the early days of the computer. He wrote code, designed circuits, as well as managing operations research for numerous federal agencies. This led to a career involving worldwide travel to encourage development of computer standards to allow hardware and software compatibility, to foster communication and information sharing. For 17 years of his career Vico served as the CEO of the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association. His grandchildren often joke that he “basically invented the internet.” His career also offered him the opportunity to teach at numerous universities, something that he and Pat had in common.
Outside of his passion for his work, Vico loved to travel. At the end of his life, he said he got to see everywhere he wanted to. Pat and Vico spent their long marriage together traveling the world and embracing every new experience offered to them. They shared their travels with friends by making annual calendars with photos from that year’s trips. One thing that brought Vico the most joy was the eight years he spent volunteering at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. He spent time working with the apes there and got to bring his family along. His deep connection with animals was one-of-a-kind.
Vico is survived by his two daughters, Debbie and Susie, and his five grandchildren Sean, Patrick, Evan, Shannon, and Caleigh.
Vico was a man of his word and a man of the world. He lived his life driven by a passion for curiosity and a strong desire to expand not only his own world but the one around him. He was proud to be from Salt Lake City and was quick to bring up his love for the Beehive State. During his high school years, Vico was a track and field athlete, avid student, and founded the German club. He was even lovingly referred to as “Otto” by his classmates because of his interest in the German language. After high school, he went on to study political science at the University of Utah.
During his time at the University of Utah, “The U”, Vico was a top competitor for the track and field team running in the 800m and 1600m events. He was also a member of the ROTC, and was called to service in 1952 during the Korean War. Vico made sure everyone knew though, that in 1952 he was invited to the Olympic trials; and was on his way to becoming a Rhodes Scholar. Ultimately, he served in the United States Army, one of his proudest achievements.
Vico served as a Captain in the United States Army in Korea. He was away from “The U” while he was deployed, but he was still actively involved. Vico was passionate about everything he was involved in. During his time in Korea, he was still writing articles to be published in the University of Utah’s student newspaper. The paper he submitted was titled “Korea: A Study in International Politics”. He believed in what he was fighting for and wanted to make sure his peers back home understood the influence it would have on our nation.
After his time in the Army, Vico began his career at the National Bureau of Standards in the early days of the computer. He wrote code, designed circuits, as well as managing operations research for numerous federal agencies. This led to a career involving worldwide travel to encourage development of computer standards to allow hardware and software compatibility, to foster communication and information sharing. For 17 years of his career Vico served as the CEO of the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association. His grandchildren often joke that he “basically invented the internet.” His career also offered him the opportunity to teach at numerous universities, something that he and Pat had in common.
Outside of his passion for his work, Vico loved to travel. At the end of his life, he said he got to see everywhere he wanted to. Pat and Vico spent their long marriage together traveling the world and embracing every new experience offered to them. They shared their travels with friends by making annual calendars with photos from that year’s trips. One thing that brought Vico the most joy was the eight years he spent volunteering at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. He spent time working with the apes there and got to bring his family along. His deep connection with animals was one-of-a-kind.
Vico is survived by his two daughters, Debbie and Susie, and his five grandchildren Sean, Patrick, Evan, Shannon, and Caleigh.
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His sense of humor was unsurpassed and people loved to be with him. His gentle strength was the rock in my life, and I inherited his love for “slightly risqué” jokes and love of animals. He will never be replaced.
Debi, is this you? Please email me, I have been thinking about you all these years. Remember the vine? Email: betsyla@cfl.rr.com
Vico and Pat were such special human beings to us. We cared for their dental needs…but the relationship was greater than that. I remember about 5 yrs ago seating Vico in the chair for his checkup, his demeanor was sweet and kind as always, however, he looked conflicted. I asked him was he ok. He explained to me that his next door neighbor had fallen ill recently and that he was helping mow the lawn for them but he wanted to know what else he could do for them. I thought to myself, wow, here there is this wonderful man whom struggles unbeknownst to his own self, with the normal struggles of aging etc. He was more concerned about helping and being there for someone he saw was in need. He was a light for me personally, I will never forget the love and kindness that he showed. Not only to me, but to others that I didn’t know.
Both Pat and Vico were dear friends and also clients and business associates for many years. John and I worked with them to redesign and add on to their getaway home at The Woods in West VA and visited there with them several times. I recall how much Vico loved it there – the quiet and serenity – a delightful respite. He was a lively, witty and engaging man and we will miss him. Marilyn & John Burroughs