It was with great sadness that we received news of the passing of our friend and brother, Richard Chavez. A long time friend and mentor, Richard Chavez was the person who recruited me as a volunteer for the UFW right out of graduate school in Michigan. And for 35 years since then, he has been a constant but quiet presence in the Farm Worker Movement doing whatever needed to get done to benefit the workers in the fields.
Many will remember Richard as Cesar Chavez’ brother and adviser, as the artist who designed the UFW’s black eagle, as the person who found the piece of real estate that is today the UFW headquarters in La Paz, and as the carpenter who made Cesar’s simple pine coffin with his own hands. This is as it should be. But I will remember Richard as much more than that. He is the man that helped build the foundation for this indestructible union that will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. I wish he could have been there with us for just one more convention. We will remember him.
Que viva Richard Chavez!