Richard’s catch phrase: Anyone who spent any time with Richard will remember this one “At that point on the thing.” Richard was a wonderful boss and I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with him. I will truly miss him.

I worked with Richard Garcia in 1998 when the state Legislature spent extra millions of dollars on higher education in South Texas, and, particularly, the lower Rio Grande Valley. Richard and many others worked feverishly to create new educational programs in a short period of time. He worried about failure, and wanted all of the programs to get off to a good start. "My mother lives in Brownsville," Richard said. "If they don't work, people are going to tell her about it."

Jim Barrett

As an intern at the South Central AHEC during the Summer of 2005, I had a number of opportunities to visit with Richard. Richard always seemed to be able to lighten the mood and make everyone happy. Richard was a kind hearted and good man. Even though I was just an intern, Richard made sure that my hard work and contributions did not go unnoticed. He had a way of making everyone laugh and he made sure that I would never forget that I thought he was "old". Although Richard is no longer with us, the many memories he made and lives he touched will pay tribute to him forever. May God comfort his family and friends during this time and may God Bless the Garcia family. With Deepest Sympathy,

Marka (Truesdale) Dredla

I met Richard, “Mr. Garcia”, as I often called him, in 1999 when I came on board with the WGB-AHEC. I never could understand how a man with his knowledge and talents could be so humble. He always had a big smile and positive answers for everything! I last saw him in April 2006, when he visited us in Del Rio, and he was just as humble, generous and wise as the day I met him. UTHSCSA/CSTP will have BIG shoes to fill!! I will miss you, MR. GARCIA!!

The last time I saw Richard was a few weeks ago when he came to our offices to meet with medical students who wanted his advice on their volunteer efforts in Laredo and Corpus. He truly enjoyed being around them, and was energized in their presence and as usual was brimming with ideas, names, contacts, solutions to getting their effort underway. It was precisely the kind of thing he has done for us here at the Center. I will miss his warm smile, his friendship and his wisdom, and I will treasure having gotten to know him.

I was so surprised to hear of Richard's illness. I will always remember Richard as a champion for the people of South Texas-and as a mentor and friend. I interviewed with Richard for my current position, and ever since then he was been a constant source of support. So many, many times I'd call with a need for advice or needing money for a program. He was always there to listen, to provide guidance and to help us find the funding for the young people in our outreach programs. We have lost a great friend and professional who made a difference to so many. I offer my continued prayers for the Garcia family. For all of us, our time on Earth is temporary, Heaven is for eternity-and there-there is no suffering, no pain, only peace and joy. It is a time to acknowledge the pain we feel for his loss, but also to celebrate Richard's accomplishments, his life, his contributions to many, and his entry into a better place. blessings, love, and sincere condolences,

Irene Chapa   

I worked with Mr. Garcia for several years and just realized I never called him Richard. I find this funny because he was so down-to-earth . . . I'm surprised I never called him "Tio" because he was that special. Mr. Garcia was our go-to man for events in South Texas. If there were intricacies to be understood or history to be learned, Mr. Garcia was the one to go to. His loss is incomprehensible to me but I trust in God and know his peace is better than suffering. I pray for his family and smile at the thought of Mr. Garcia watching over all of us now, as always.

I’ve had the honor to be part of Richard’s staff since 1995 and wanted to let his family know how much his “Bluffcreek Towers” family loved him. I recall a speech Richard was giving to faculty and students at the Allied Health Building. The microphone at the podium went out and they handed him a clip-on microphone. He held it with his middle finger extended the rest of the speech. We were in the back of the room trying to get his attention and after the speech told him about his “shooting the bird” to everyone. He just laughed and said that some of the faculty needed it. I will truly miss him and the smiles and joy that he brought to all of us.

Cathy Cox 

When I took on the responsibility for the Cooperative Pharmacy Program at UTPA. One of my first duties was to begin to plan the shared Research Building with the RAHC. Richard was also one of the committee members. In my role,as Asst Dean of the Pharmacy program and later in my role of Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at UTPA, I always found Richard to be helpful and supportive of all we tried to do in South Texas. He was a wonderful man. He directly improved the lives of individuals in South Texas. He will be missed.

I worked down the hallway from Richard and his staff for almost three years during my time at the HSC and briefly shared office space with them as well. During that time, his humor and warmth made me feel incredibly welcome with his CSTP family. I last spoke with Richard in a quick hallway chat in my old building after the holidays and found his kindness and tremendous personality as strong as ever. While I did not know him very well, I knew of his outstanding work and dedication to students, the HSC, and S. Texas. He will be sorely missed by many. My prayers go out to him, his family and his wonderful CSTP staff. -

Claudia A. Guzman  

As a former faculty member in San Antonio, what I remember so vividly about Richard is how much he helped me understand how to get things done, and how much he supported all of the programs with the goal of improving health care in South Texas. Being in his presence increased your belief that you were doing things that were important to peoples other than yourselves, enjoying yourself, and at the same time reminding yourself of your flaws and that they could be overcome. A truly wonderful person. Peace and Fair Winds,

I had the opportunity to work for Mr. Garcia for about 5 years in the AHEC Office. Mr. Garcia taught me a lot during those year. I will always cherish the many memories we all shared in the AHEC office. Mr. Garcia will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. My prayers our with his family during this time.

Richard was a good friend, very supportive colleague and is missed already. I appreciate his tireless efforts in support of the legislative affairs work for AHEC and his personal attention to various requests I made for his assistance. May he rest in peace. In prayer,

Richard always said that he did not want to be referred to as a “model” anything, because a model is just a small replica of the real thing. Richard, indeed, was the real thing – pilot, horseman, rancher, radio operator – family man, comic, Marine, thinker – leader, mentor, colleague, friend. We will miss you. Farewell and fly high

I met Richard in 1998 while working with the Medical Hispanic Center of Excellence. No matter where I saw Richard, either in the hallway or elevator at the Bluff Creek Towers, he would say, "Hello & how is everything going?" I would tell him "just hanging in there". I left the Health Science Center in 2003, and lucky for me I ran into Richard again 2 years later at University Hospital. He said "Hey, Mija how are you doing?" Again I told him, "still hanging in there". He said "It'll get better, just hang in there". I can honestly say Richard was always working and always knew people by their name. When I learned of Richard's passing, it brought back memories of when I lost my father. Richard was a wonderful man and for that he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Richard is in a better place with no pain. I know he will continue to work with South Texas in a spiritual way. With deepest sympathy

Memories of Richard Garcia
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