Luis Ramón Félix López (Calceta, August 25, 1932 – Guayaquil, December 17, 2008) was an Ecuadorian doctor and politician, as well as an award-winning novelist, short story writer and poet. He held many senior government posts during his lifetime and served two terms as president of the Guayas branch of the House of Ecuadorian Culture. His 1973 novel “Los designios,” was finalist for that year’s International Novel Award (Mexico), and his 1996 novel “La noche de rebaño,” won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize. He also published several short story books and a collection of poetry.
Personal life
Luis Félix López was the eldest of 13 siblings. His parents were Quinche J. Félix Rezabala (father) and Jacinta María López Loor (mother). He was married to Sara Beatriz Grijalva. They had 4 children: Luis Enrique, Fernando, Diego Ricardo and Sandra.
Medical career
He studied medicine at the Central University of Ecuador. In 1956, he entered the IESS Hospital as an intern, where he met his future wife, Sara Beatriz Grijalva. As a doctor, he studied two specialties at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, gastroenterology and endoscopy. In Mexico he was director of endoscopy at the General Hospital of Netzahualcóyotl and Medical Director of various scientific journals and publications.
Politics
Luis Félix López entered political life while still a university student, supporting the candidacy of Carlos Guevara Moreno, founder of the Concentration of Popular Forces party (CFP). A few years later, when the First Military Junta seized power and removed Carlos Julio Arosemena Monroy from the Presidency and dissolved the parliament, Luis Félix López was appointed Supreme Director of the CFP.
Public posts
| Title | Dates |
| Government Minister | January 15, 1990 – July 28, 1990 |
| Governor or Manabí | 1970 – 1972 |
| Municipal President of El Carmen | 1966 – 1970 |
| President of the Guayas branch of the House of Ecuadorian Culture. | 2003 – 2007 |
| National Deputy | 1962 – 1963 |
| Provincial Deputy of Guayas | 1960 – 1962 |
Legacy
The House of Ecuadorian Culture’s National Short Story Competition is named in his honor.
Works
During different periods of his life, Luis Félix López dedicated himself to writing literary works, which were published nationally and internationally:
| Title | Type | Year | Notes |
| Los designios | Novel | 1973 | Finalist of the International Novel Award, Mexico 1973 |
| El eco interminable | Poetry | 1977 | |
| El gorrión canta en la oscuridad | Short stories | 1980 | Finalist of the “Grupo de Guayaquil Award” |
| El talismán | Short stories | 1995 | |
| La noche de rebaño | Novel | 1996 | Winner of the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize, from the Metropolitan District of Quito |
| Tarda en morir el tiempo | Short stories | 1998 | Winner of the National Literary Contest of the House of Culture of Guayas |
| El olor de las virtudes | Novel | 2001 |