Thomas Romero

Thomas A. Romero 1946-2022

Thomas A. “Tomás” Romero passed away on Saturday, March 12th shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

Armando Tomás Romero was born on Nov. 21, 1946 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and raised in Santa Fe. Tom, or Tomás as he was also affectionately known, was a beloved fixture in Northern New Mexico due to his work with El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe and other organizations that sought to promote the Hispanic & Native cultures of New Mexico. He was a firm but gentle and poetic presence, and his good humor and kindness were a marvel in their consistency.

Tom grew up very poor, worked very hard, completed seminary studies in Cincinnati, and graduated Magna cum Laude from the College of Santa Fe.

He worked in New Mexico, in La Paz, Bolivia, in Denver, Colorado, and briefly in South Dakota before becoming a consultant, which included work with tribal governments in different parts of the country. His career included 28 years heading his own consulting practice, and seven years with two international firms. He provided management consulting and business advisory services to government agencies, tribal governments, and businesses. He worked directly with the New Mexico state government and with Santa Fe Community College. And in the last nine years, he served as Executive Director of the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, working with smaller communities and local governments throughout Northern New Mexico, promoting community planning, heritage development, and tourism.

He was an active volunteer in community organizations over the last 25 years, most notably as President of El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, a Hispanic cultural center and community organization. In a time when outside money has sought to codify and commercialize New Mexican culture, he worked to promote and protect what he believed essentially came from people, not institutions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignacio and Eliza Romero, and by his brothers, Martin, Wilfred, & brother-in-law Antonio. He is survived by his wife Luba Kruk, sons Adrian (wife Karla), Chris, and Curtis, grandchildren Eliza, Indigo, and Maxon, siblings Patricia Lopez, Roberta Miller (Floyd), and Richard Romero. He has countless friends and extended family who he was close to. His heart was bottomless, and he was many things to many people. There will not be another like him.

There will be a viewing at Rivera Family funeral home, 417 E. Rodeo Rd., on Sunday, March 20th at 2 PM, followed by a prayer service at 3 PM. A memorial and celebration of his life and work will take place at El Museo in April.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe.  https://elmuseocultural.org/join-give/