It is with profound heartache and sadness that we announce the death of Richard "Dicky" Maldonado Gallego, age 71. He passed away on 12-20-21, surrounded by his loved ones after a short battle with COVID-19.

Richard received a kidney transplant from his daughter Kathy 13 years ago, a beautiful gift that prolonged his life. However, it left him immunocompromised and more susceptible to the virus' impact. He was fully vaccinated and took the pandemic very seriously. He took every precaution and played things by the book. After taking almost 2 years off from work, Richard felt like the time was right to return.

Unfortunately, shortly after returning to work, he was infected with COVID-19 while on the job. Richard had so much more life to live, and this terrible virus cut his life short. His family is devastated.

A Tucson native, Richard was born at St. Mary's Hospital. He was the second of five children born to Thomas & Connie Gallego. The family's home was located along the banks of the Santa Cruz River (when it actually had water!), where he got into mischief and had many boyhood adventures.

Richard came from a Tucson pioneer ranching family that had lasting impacts on the surrounding area. The Gallego family had a market that was an asset to the people in the Meyer neighborhood. They owned one of the first telephones which they shared with their neighbors. And in 1921, the Gallego family donated land to start the Sunnyside School District. Gallego Elementary School is named after their family.

Richard attended Santa Cruz Parochial School from elementary to junior high, where he was an altar boy while he attended school. He celebrated many life milestones at Santa Cruz Church, where he was baptized, made his first Holy Communion and Confirmation, and was later married.

After 8th grade, he went on to graduate from Pueblo High School in 1967, where he lettered in Cross-Country.

After high school, while on a trip to California with friends, he decided to sign up for the Marines. At the same time, unbeknownst to him, he was drafted into the Navy. His mother informed him by phone that his draft letter came. He got a kick out of telling the story about how the Navy and Marines fought over him for hours as he waited to find out which military branch he would serve for his country. Ultimately it was "The Few, The Proud, The Marines".

While in the Marines, he became an expert marksman and served in the Vietnam War as a bomb loader. During his time in the Marines, he traveled all over the world. He was stationed in Okinawa Japan. During his time in Japan, Richard embraced the Japanese culture and loved to drive his motorcycle around the beautiful countryside. He was also stationed in Yuma, Arizona, and was honorably discharged as Sergeant before returning back to Tucson.

He worked at what was then called "University Medical Center" (now Banner Main) in the Pharmacy department. During this time, he met his future wife Margaret at Mr. Don's (a dance club) while they were both out with friends. He asked her to dance three times before she finally said yes, and the rest is history! After a whirlwind 9-month romance, they married and started a family.

As he settled into family life, he enjoyed taking the beloved family dog Velvet to play fetch at the nearby Kennedy Park, riding his motorcycle around his quiet suburban neighborhood, attending family picnics at the park, and working on his beautiful, treasured, Pontiac GTO. When Richard drove his GTO, he would often get stopped by prospective buyers, but no offer was good enough. He wouldn't ever consider parting ways with it.

He studied to be an electrician at the local Skill Center trade school. Later, he got his Commercial Driver's license through Greyhound Driving School. He then decided to use his GI bill to further his education and attend the University of Arizona.

While attending the University of Arizona, Richard's godfather became ill. Richard's godfather owned a neighborhood market on Meyer street near downtown called La Providencia. As his godfather fought illness, Richard decided to help his godfather out and started spending time working at the market alongside his wife Margaret, daughters Kathy & Annette, and sister-in-law's Yolanda and Margarita.

The market was one of those neighborhood treasures where everyone would look forward to visiting. La Providencia sold the most unique, flavorful Cimarronas (snow-cones) that could be topped with a special Leche (milk). One of Richard's fondest memories was supplying the city's firefighters with Cimarronas after a fire. He really cherished the time he spent there and would have loved to continue running the store and selling his godfather's Cimarronas.  Unfortunately, his godfather passed away suddenly. The store, and all its contents, were sold by an uncle from California. Luckily his godfather passed along his guarded Cimarrona recipes to him!

Richard would go on to graduate from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Oriental Studies, lending further proof of how much Richard really loved the Japanese culture. In another lifetime, Richard would've probably ended up staying in Japan. But he had a calling and connection to Tucson, and it became his home for the rest of his life.

After college, he worked as a substitute teacher. He also served as a Tech Sergeant in the Air National Guard. He was very proud of his service with the Guard. He eventually decided on a career as a commercial driver, working several years for Bridgewater, All Aboard American, and most recently Mountain View.

If there was a big athletic event in Tucson, more times than not it was Richard behind the wheel busing the visiting team from the airport to the hotel, or to the venue for the big game. He loved to share with family members any type of gear or apparel that the team gave him as part of their appreciation for making sure they arrived at each location safe and sound.

Richard was calm, cool, and collected. He was hard-working, patient, and easy going. He was somewhat guarded with his emotions but was never afraid to say what he needed to say if the situation warranted. When the message was delivered, you always heard it loud and clear. Richard was always listened to and respected by everyone around him.

He was stoic as they come – it was the Gallego / Maldonado spirit. He could be introspective and introverted at times, but he was also very witty, and he had a great sense of humor. His heart was full of stories, and he loved to laugh.

A dedicated family man, he gave his family two of the greatest gifts, more precious than money could buy: Unconditional Love, and his Time.

Richard was simply the best, and we want to share some random tidbits about him:

• He beat skin cancer, despite being a devoted sunscreen user.
• He had a green thumb.
• He hated onions!
• He loved westerns.
• He was left-handed and had the most beautiful penmanship.
• He was a voracious reader.
• He liked a wide variety of music and had great taste.
• He was a proud U of A alumni & fan.
• He enjoyed eating out.
• He loved to spoil his cats, and every pet he encountered.
• He made the world's best tacos.
• He was an expert at making fluffy buttery pancakes.
• He loved day trips around Arizona.
• He never left the house without his aviators, wristwatch, wallet, and pocketknife.

As we look back on all the wonderful memories, we cannot begin to imagine not having him at the end of a phone call, sitting across from him at the kitchen table, or just being around when we need advice or help. To say we love him would be an understatement - and to say we're going to miss him would be an even greater understatement. There simply are no words to adequately describe what a great man, father, and tata he was.

He loved us unconditionally, and although his life has ended, his love has not, and his legacy will live on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and the children yet to come.

Richard is survived by his wife Margaret, children Annette (James), Kathy (Rob), Richard (Jenni), and Michael (Samantha), brother Danny, sister Reina, grandchildren, Bella, Mia, Ashlynn, Clementine, Tatum, Rory, Laila, and a large extended family.

Richard is reunited in heaven with his parents Thomas and Connie, infant son "Baby Boy Gallego, brother Tommy, sister Celina, who just passed away June 2021, and his beloved granddaughter Ava, who we tragically lost in February 2021.

As a family, we have learned the painful lesson this past year, that everything can change in the blink of an eye. In honor of Richard's memory, forgive often, love with all your heart, accept people as they are, and NEVER miss an opportunity to spend more time with the people you love. Spend. The. Time.

Oh, and if you happen to have some Tequila handy and you hear his favorite song Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler, take a shot for Richard. Salud!

"Richard, we are so thankful for all the memories we shared together, we only wish you were here to make more. We cannot put into words how much we will miss you. You are in our thoughts and prayers every moment of every day. No matter where we are, your spirit is beside us. Until we meet again. We love you." - Your family.