Richard "Dick" R. Chavez

Richard Rosario Chavez was born January 26, 1932, in Pueblo, Colorado, and grew up in the Bessemer neighborhood, graduating from Pueblo’s Central High School in 1950. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Naval Air Station Kingsville where he took care of the TBM Avenger torpedo bombers and F4U Corsair fighter planes. This was during the Korean War when the U.S. Navy was developing jet engines, and would test in secrecy at night, “right outside our bunkhouse, making a horrible noise. It was impossible to get any sleep”.

After his honorable discharge in 1953, he went to work for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (CF&I), “the steel mill” in Pueblo, working alongside his father who had worked there for years. Deciding he wanted to pursue a career in teaching, he went back to school, using his G.I. Bill. While attending Pueblo Junior College, where he earned his Associate in Engineering degree, he met the love of his life Jeanne Marie. They were married in 1957 and moved to a beautiful home and neighborhood on Wide Acres Road in Golden, Colorado, where they raised three children, Rich, Julie, and Steve.

He finished up his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Science and Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In 1960, he began his teaching career at Clear Lake Junior High School in Westminster, Colorado where he taught algebra and counseled students. In 1967, he moved into school leadership serving as Vice Principal, then later Principal at Hodgkins Junior High School in Westminster. Retiring from school administration in 1987, but still having a passion for teaching, he taught math, science, and was a college counselor at Denver West High School, until finally retiring for good in 1997.

Reflecting on his 37-year teaching career, he valued his time at Denver West the most. Working at a predominantly Latino school, he got to practice his Spanish and his golf game, as he was also the school’s golf coach. He most enjoyed helping “youngsters” understand the world of opportunities available to them and helping them to achieve their potential.

His life was not without challenges. Shortly before retiring, he had to have an acoustic neuroma removed and, as a result, suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Undaunted, he persevered, continuing to perfect his Spanish and golfing into his 80’s. In 1998, he and Jeanne relocated to Chula Vista, California, where they lived just down the street from their oldest son Rich, where they enjoyed their grandchildren and the mild Southern California climate. In 2020, he and Jeanne moved back to Colorado to live with Steve, and then on to Minneapolis to live with Julie.

Richard loved adventure and the outdoors, enjoying fishing, skiing, and most of all golfing. He enjoyed playing his guitar, singing, and traveling, taking the family on many vacations, including Europe and Mexico. During the summer of 1969, he drove the family from Colorado to Mexico City in an old VW Bug. Not a reliable vehicle at the time but made it there and back with no problems and great experiences. He will be remembered as a social and caring person, with a passion for learning and living life to the fullest. He will be intered at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with Jeanne and survived by his three children and seven grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 23 at the Church of St. Olaf, 215 South 8th Street, Minneapolis.

Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church.