Remembering Richard E. Chavez

Remembering Richard Chavez
Nov. 12, 1929 - July 27, 2011

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Today, the civil rights community mourns the loss of long-time farmworker advocate and civil rights activist Richard Estrada Chavez. He passed away yesterday in Bakersfield, California. Richard was 81.



A member of the board for the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Richard was also Dolores Huerta's partner and the father of 10 children including DHF Executive Director Camila Chavez. The foundation will greatly miss Richard's leadership and dedication to the movement.



Richard Chavez Biography:

Richard Estrada Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona. His family was forced into migrant farm work when they lost their farm during the "Great Depression". As a child, he worked, alongside his family, in the fields, sporadically attending various schools. As an adult, he established a career as a carpenter and began his work in community service. He helped to establish the Self-Help Housing Enterprise and served as president of his local Community Service Organization.



In 1966 Richard gave up the security of his carpentry job and joined his brother, Cesar E. Chavez as a full-time volunteer and organizer for the United Farm Workers, fighting for farm worker rights.In his long career with the United Farm Workers, Richard has served in many capacities. He served on the executive board as third Vice-President which he served for three terms.



For a time, he was in charge of contract negotiations and administrating collective-bargaining agreements. In the 70's he worked on the UFW's successful grape and lettuce boycotts which resulted in the passage of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act. He also served as Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Farm Worker Fund, providing primary health care clinics for farm workers. He was the second Director of the National Farm Workers Service Center conceived to serve and meet the social service and health needs of farm workers.



As a skilled carpenter and building contractor, Mr. Chavez designed, remodeled, and built, many of the UFW offices, clinics and service centers. He served on the board of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation and the National Farm Worker Service Center. He retired in Keene, California, where he continued to support the farmworker movement through his involvement with the Dolores Huerta Foundation.



Thank you for keeping Richard's family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.



Dolores Huerta Foundation
www.doloreshuerta.org
661-322-3033