Richard Alan Chavez's Obituary
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Richard Alan Chávez, born August 16, 1949, transitioning into God’s kingdom on April 18, 2026.
Richard was born in Dinuba, California in the south Central Valley. Not long after his birth, he and his family moved to Decoto, California, which was incorporated with the town of Alvarado in 1959 to become Union City. Richard graduated from James Logan High School in 1967, where he played football and sang in the choir.
After graduation, Richard enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the Vietnam War, class of 1969. Just before his deployment to Vietnam, he met Irene Anaya; upon his return from the war, they fell in love and married at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on August 28, 1971. They went on to have three children, raising them in Union City: David John, born 1972; Jason Alfred, born 1976; and Jennifer Vera, born 1980.
Richard spent 32 years as a Bay Area Rapid Transit train operator and educator, retiring in 2011. At BART, he was highly respected for his work ethic, mentorship, high moral core, impeccable reputation and ability to connect with countless friends and colleagues of all generations. He remained close friends with many of those co-workers in the years after his retirement.
Richard was a passionate lover of music. In 1982, he, along with cousins and childhood friends, started a group, calling themselves “Thee Heartbeats,” a nostalgia band that covered iconic doo-wop and soul tunes of the 1950s and ‘60s, many selections of the band perfect for Richard’s mellifluous voice and lifelong reverence for Black music.
“Thee Heartbeats” were often found playing at many church functions, weddings and birthdays, and became a staple of Union City’s local watering hole “The Old Mill Tavern” on Decoto Road. Richard was the lead singer throughout the band’s four-year tenure, which ended in 1986. With the evolution of karaoke machines and backing tracks, Richard continued entertaining guests at parties and family functions for years, singing tunes of the great crooners such as Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, and his idol, Frank Sinatra, with the ability to cover “Ol’ Blue Eyes” and his light, lyric baritone with ease.
He was present for every family activity, beaming with pride at numerous sporting contests, theater and dance productions, band events, graduations, and religious sacraments which affirmed his deep Catholic faith. That pride extended to serving his country as a marine corps veteran, often donning a baseball cap displaying his service.
A lifelong learner and avid reader, Richard’s remarkable life will forever be remembered as one of profound love and laughter. He was a deeply proud family man who overcame multiple life-threatening illnesses for 15 years, but fought hard to remain with the family and friends he loved, which included the prides of his life: his loving wife Irene, their children and spouses, and his seven grandchildren and four adopted grandchildren.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, John Ignacio Chávez and Vera Margaret McGinley, older brother David John and younger brother Michael Edward. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Irene Anaya Chávez, son David John Chávez and his wife Dr. Tamra Samudio Chávez and their three daughters Angelica Irene, Veronica Teressa and Thalia Samudio; son Jason Alfred Chávez and wife Dr. Kathleen Ann Chávez and their daughter Araceli Carmen and son Diego Richard; and daughter Dr. Jennifer Chávez Buey and husband Barrie La’Ron Buey and their two sons Josiah Ricardo and Julian La’Ron. He is also survived by their four adopted grandchildren: Minerva Judith Dayton and husband Dr. Michael Dayton and their daughter Xochitl; Alondra Giselle Alvarez, Alex Emanuel Alvarez and Gianluca Chavarria.
A celebration of life mass will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 703 C Street in Union City, on Thursday, May 7 at 10 am. The burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 26320 Mission Boulevard, Hayward.
In lieu of flowers, and in gratitude to DJ Eryka Vargas and their on-air tribute to Richard’s life on Sunday, April 26, the family requests that donations be made in Richard’s name to Bay Area radio station KALW Public Media, 91.7 FM.
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?