Dick A. Valdez (Brigadier General - Retired)

Dick A. Valdez (Brigadier General - Retired) passed away on March 27, 2018. He was born in Rowe, NM on May 27, 1920. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Huntington Valdez, on March 13, 1983. He is survived by his two sons, Jim Valdez and wife, Keta, and Richard Valdez, and three daughters, Irene Sikelianos, Carla Haverly, and Laura Gruet and husband, Laurent. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Mark Sikelianos, Nikolas Sikelianos, Brian Haverly and wife, Marguerite, Rand Briggs and Remy Briggs, as well as four great-grandchildren, Nicolette Sikelianos, Drake Sikelianos, Evelyn Haverly and Vivian Haverly.

He figured prominently in city, county, state and national politics as a Democratic leader and was very active as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California in 1960, selecting John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson as candidates for U.S. President and Vice President. He served as chief of staff for two governors of New Mexico, Gov. John Simms and Gov. John Burroughs. He also served as Administrator for the New Mexico State Hospital in Las Vegas, NM. U.S. Federal employment included service as Deputy Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration, which included equal opportunity and compliance. He also served as National Deputy Coordinator for the Agency’s Hispanic Programs.

His military career began when he enlisted in the Air Force after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as a flying candidate. Later, he was accepted as a commissioned officer in the U.S Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. His assignments were mostly in the East and Far East. During his military career, he earned numerous citations, including the Bronze Star and two Foreign Presidential Citations.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE, followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.