Richard Salazar

Richard M. Salazar, 89, a resident of Chamita, NM, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020, in Española, NM, following a brief illness. Richard was born on February 15, 1931, to Leopoldo Salazar and Elena Lovato. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years Rafaelita, his son Ralph Nelson and daughter-in-law Rosemary Salazar, his parents, his brother Nicholas Salazar, his in-laws Guillermo and Maria Trujillo, and many other relatives.

Surviving Richard are his children, Roberta Grider (Roger) of Lincoln City, Oregon; Richard, Jr. (Janet) of El Paso, Texas; Tonita Elder (Ren) of Dallas, Texas; and William (Marcia) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and several Godchildren. Richard is also survived by his loving partner of many years, Ursula Cordova.

Richard grew up in Chamita, helping his parents on the family farm and learning the ways of an outdoorsman and cattle rancher from his father. He deeply loved his parents and brother and brought that love forward into his own marriage and family. Richard graduated from Española High School in 1949. He married his first love, Rafaelita (Lita) Trujillo, on July 29, 1949, at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in San Juan Pueblo, where he became a devoted and active member of the Parish and was involved in forming the Tri-Lingual Choir. Richard was a self-taught guitarist and would lull his children to sleep nightly to the sound of his guitar and singing. His favorite was singing the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, often taking his family camping and fishing in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Every winter, there was a gathering of friends in the wee hours of the morning, preparing to leave for a week’s hunting. He never failed to bring home a trophy. Richard was also a very active athlete. He began playing baseball with the San Juan Braves, then continued playing for Chamita for 30 years. He also played softball in the Española League, sometimes pitted against his sons on different teams. Richard was a participant in the New Mexico Senior Olympics, where he participated until the age of 83 and medaled in Javelin, Baseball, Basketball, Shotput and Talent (Guitar and Singing).

Richard was a Journeyman Ironworker from a young age (19) and worked throughout the State of New Mexico, finally retiring from Johnson Controls as a General Foreman, running the shops at the LANSCE Accelerator Facility (LANL TA-53), after more than 50 years in the trade. He was an active member of Ironworkers Local 495. He was mayordomo of the San Pedro Capilla de Chamita for over 40 years and oversaw renovations to the Chapel in the 80s. He and Lita took great care of the Chapel, as well as the Cemetery. Richard was also an active member of the Acequia de Chamita Association, which was established in 1598. After his father passed in 1991, Richard kept and continued to run his dad’s herd of cows. He worked the farm that he and Lita bought for many years and thoroughly enjoyed being out in the fresh air and taking care of his animals.

• A beloved memory of his eldest daughter was his command of Gregg Shorthand. He helped her with her homework and used this skill throughout his life, often sending her notes and letters in shorthand.
• A beloved memory of his youngest daughter is the “richness” of all the conversations she had with him from childhood to adult. The conversations were packed full of candor, wisdom and love that she will carry her entire life.
• A beloved memory of his son is of the voicemail messages he would leave, always starting with, “Helloder, Richard. I am your dad.”
• A beloved memory of his youngest son was gathering cows in the Jemez Mountains and the annual Grouse hunt with his dad on the trail up over the grassy face of Chicoma.

Out of consideration for the health and safety of all who loved Richard, a Celebration of Life and memorial service will be held at a later date. Dates will be updated as they become available.

For those who wish, donations in lieu of flowers would be appropriate to Richard’s chosen charity:

San Pedro Capilla de Chamita

c/o David Salazar

P.O. Box 922

San Juan Pueblo, NM, 87566

The Salazar Family has entrusted the gentle care of Mr. Salazar with Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola. Please visit riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to share your condolences, memories, and photos.

El Padre Nuestro

Padre nuestro

Que estas en cielo

Santificado sea tu Nombre

Venganos en tu reino

Aga, Señor su voluntad

Asi en la Tierra como en el Cielo

El pan nuestro de cada dia

Danos hoy, Señor

Y perdona nuestras debdas

Asi como nosotros perdonamos

A nuestros debdores

Y no nos dejes cay en tentacion

Mas libranos y guardanos de todo mal

Amen