Richard Chavez, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Papa, passed away peacefully at his home in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, on September 21, 2026, at 9:24 p.m., at the age of 79.Richard was a strong, hardworking, stubborn, and wonderfully unforgettable man. In 1966, he enlisted and served during the Vietnam era. Throughout his life, he carried that same strength and determination into everything he did. If something was broken, he fixed it. If something needed to be built, he built it. Whether it was a truck, a tractor, a house, or one of his many projects, Richard could figure it out. He was also an incredible welder—the best welder to the people who knew him—and could turn a piece of metal into just about anything he had in mind.He loved the mountains, the country, fishing, working with his hands, animals, and the simple things in life. He taught his family those same values—not necessarily by sitting down and giving lessons, but simply by saying, “Come with me.” His family learned by watching him.Richard was also a man who loved his wife, Terri J. Chavez, in the same way he did everything else: stubbornly, quietly, and by showing up. He wasn’t always the type to put his feelings into words, but he was there. He took care of her, stood beside her, and shared a lifetime with her. His love was in the everyday things—the life they built together, the years they shared, and the simple fact that he was always there.He is survived by Terri; his children, Natalie Kave (Lawrence), Anthony Chavez, and Brittany Chavez; and his grandchildren, Brandon Kave (Melissa), Monique Chavez (Elijah), Winter Sanchez, and Jayla Sanchez (William).He is also survived by Jenny Chavez (Valentin), Teen Chavez, who were part of the family and many other family members.To his family, he was Papa.He was the man in denim, drinking his green tea, insisting on having a jalapeño with every meal, and giving everyone a hard time just because he could. He was funny, sometimes intentionally and sometimes without even trying. He was stubborn—really stubborn—and he didn’t particularly enjoy admitting when he needed help.But beneath all of that was a man who loved deeply.He showed that love by taking care of his family, teaching them to work hard, taking them fishing, bringing them into the mountains, teaching them to drive, fixing what needed fixing, welding, building, and making ordinary moments into memories that would last a lifetime.Parkinson’s may have changed what Richard’s body could do, but it never changed who he was. His illness did not define him. His life did.His family will remember his jokes, his stories, his stubbornness, his teasing, his denim, his green tea, his love of the mountains, and all the little moments that didn’t seem important at the time but mean everything now.Every fishing trip, every quiet moment in the mountains, every time his family works with their hands or does something he taught them, a little piece of Richard will be there.He may not have always said, “I love you.”He didn’t have to.He showed us.Richard was one of a kind—a strong man, a stubborn man, a funny man, and a deeply loved man.He was Papa.He was a husband.He was a father.He was a grandfather.And he was home to the people who loved him.The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Tom and Laureen, Jayme and the Taylor family, for the love, kindness, support, and care they showed Richard and his family. Their presence and help will always be remembered and appreciated.He will be missed, remembered, and loved always.