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Hidalgo remembered as passionate community leader

By ERIC LINDBERG — March 26, 2009

Former city councilmember, past El Presidente and beloved family man Richard Hidalgo died on Friday. He turned 90 last month.

From his behind-the-scenes work with Old Spanish Days Fiesta and the now-defunct Uptown Lions Club to his involvement in establishing a sister-city relationship with Puerto Vallarta, Hidalgo had a deep and fierce passion for the community he called home for 87 years.

“He loved Santa Barbara,” said Cheli Hidalgo, one of his three daughters. “He just liked the history.”

Gathered in the living room of Hidalgo’s Riviera home, where he spent the last 44 years with a sweeping view of the city and ocean, his children reflected on the long and storied life of their father.

Born on Feb. 16, 1919, Hidalgo arrived in Santa Barbara as a 3-year-old toddler, having moved from Texas. He attended Harding School and Santa Barbara Junior High School. While he didn’t finish high school, he later went on to earn his Realtor’s license from Santa Barbara City College and developed a successful career in the local real estate market.

In his younger years, Hidalgo played piano with a big band ensemble at El Paseo restaurant and owned a television shop on lower State Street.

In 1950, he married his wife, Cuca, and had five children — Berta, Carlos, Cheli, Maria and Richard, Jr.

Through his heavy involvement in the Lions Club, Hidalgo made numerous connections throughout the community and was urged to pursue a seat on the City Council.

In 1971, he was appointed to the council following the death of a sitting councilmember and served until 1972. During that time, he began to promote the idea of improving MacKenzie Park through the Lions Club.

By the time his colleagues on the board of Old Spanish Days named him El Presidente in 1979, Hidalgo’s ambitions for the park had grown. That year, he established El Mercado del Norte at the locale on upper State Street.

“He wanted to break away from De la Guerra Plaza and create a family-friendly place where you could take your kids,” his son Carlos said.

Bill Redding, a past El Presidente who met Hidalgo through the Lions Club, said once his longtime friend had an idea in his head, he followed it through to fruition.

“It’s amazing what you can get done if you don’t worry about who gets the credit,” Redding said. “He was kind of the promoter behind the scenes, getting people excited about things.”

Another longtime friend and past El Presidente Robert Kallman had similar things to say about Hidalgo, who he described as highly respected by everyone who knew him.

“He could get things done without getting too many people mad at him,” Kallman said. “Richard always had the ability, it seemed to me, to get people smiling and shaking hands and working together.”

Taking credit for a job well done didn’t seem to be her father’s main concern when he set himself to a task, Maria Hidalgo said.

In fact, he rarely mentioned the award for heroism that he received from the Lions Club for calming down a group of spooked horses threatening to run into the crowd during the Fiesta parade in 1962.

“He never talked about it, but we knew about it,” she said.

Beyond his passion for serving the community, his children said Hidalgo loved to read and stressed education when they were growing up.

He preferred nonfiction, Carlos said, likely due to his love of history.

“He couldn’t get enough of it,” he said.

Despite his busy lifestyle, Hidalgo would rarely miss a chance to host a serious backyard barbecue with family and friends.

“He loved to barbecue ribs,” Cheli said. “He taught my brother and everyone how to barbecue.”

In addition to family gatherings on Sundays, Hidalgo was also instrumental in creating a social gathering place for the local Hispanic community through the formation of the Union Civica Mexicana.

His desire for social interaction remained strong in his older years and he became a familiar face at City Lot 12 on Gutierrez Street, where he worked the parking kiosk several days a week for a decade.

Maria recalled how he would refer to older drivers who came through his lot as “young man” or “young lady,” always putting a smile on their faces.

“They really got a kick out of it,” she said.

He had continued to work up until a few days before his death, Cheli said, when he started to get too tired and decided to give up the gig. His passing came quickly, she said, following a stroke.

She said she is glad her father had a chance to see all his old friends and family during his 90th birthday celebration at the Carriage Museum last month.

Friends and family will gather again at 11 a.m. tomorrow for funeral services at the Welch-Ryce Funeral Chapel, 15 E. Sola St. Viewing is today from noon to 8 p.m. at the same location, and a celebration of his life will follow the services tomorrow at the Carriage Museum.

In addition to his children, Hidalgo is survived by his brother, Reuben, as well as 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. His wife died in November and his son, Richard Jr., passed away recently as well.

“He had a great smile, just a wonderful smile,” Redding said of his longtime friend in closing. “I don’t know that there was anything bad that could ever be said about him. He epitomized to me, as much as anybody, the warm hospitality of the pleasant people who call Santa Barbara home.”

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Richard Hidalgo : 3/26/2009

Richard is a true gentleman and we will remember him for this, and for his many other fine qualities. It has been a privilege to have known him. One of the "old school" and sadly becoming a rarity. Thank you Richard for showing us what makes a true gentleman and for consistently following this path.in your daily life.

elizabeth

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Mr. Hidalgo : 3/26/2009

What a wonderful tribute to Mr. Hidalgo from his children. The family has had a difficult time lately, losing so many family members in such a short period of time. I hope Old Spanish Days will remember Mr. Hidalgo this Fiesta and he will be missed at the El Presidente's party this year. Condolences to the family.

The Diaz family

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he will be missed : 3/26/2009

I never knew his name, but, as a native, I had a sense of his history through the El Presidente belt buckle that he always wore. He and I had a personal relationship: He called me 'young lady', and I called him 'Sir' as I drove my car through the exit of Lot 12. Obviously a gentleman all the way, I could see that he had a way with people that brought him much joy and success. He was a gentle soul who obviously knew what life was all about. He was my Teacher, in the ways of compassion and true connection with strangers. My heart goes out to his family and close friends. Richard, you made a big difference in many lives, and in the life of the City of Santa Barbara. Go with God, my friend, you are loved!

anne

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Unforgettable Smile : 3/26/2009

I, too, had the great fortune of meeting Richard when he worked at the kiosk at City Lot 12. I will never forget that smile, and I will never forget the wonderful smile he left me with every day I drove out of the lot. I could be in the most hurried, stressed state, but when I drove up to Richard's window, everything slowed down as he smiled and shared his joy of life and sense of peace (and humor)! A wonderful, wonderful man. I feel so lucky to have known him.

May O'Mahoney

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Mr. Hidalgo : 3/26/2009

I will miss his smiling face, expressing his years of love and life here in Santa Barbara. I was fortunate to get to know him while growing up here in Santa Barbara. Mr. Hildalgo and my late father Jesus L. Torres were friends. Vía con Dios. Stephanie Torres

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Richard Hidalgo : 3/26/2009

Mr. Hildago would always call me "young lady" and my boyfriend "young man" when we checked out of the parking lot where he worked at State and Gutierrez. I always looked forward to seeing him. We talked on several occasions and I could tell by his knowlege he was prominent figure in Santa Barbara. My sincere condolence to his family and friends. Patty Escalera

I miss seeing his smiling face

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Richard Hidalgo : 3/26/2009

Always a gentleman. I was fortunate to know him for 29 years. We could talk about so many things. Music, real estate, Old Spanish Days. Years might go by between seeing each other, but he always remembered something to speak of that we had in common. He always had a good word to say about something. He was a true lover of Santa Barbara.

Marie Harden Mancilla

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A True Gift! : 3/27/2009

My condolenses go out to the family but also a big THANK YOU to his family for sharing him with all of us at Old Spanish Days and in this 30th anniversary year at El Mercado Del Norte we should honor the Godfather of El Mercado Del Norte! Viva! Vaya Con Dios Amigo!

Skip Stecker

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Mr Hidalgo : 4/1/2009

I loved FIESTA growing up because of Cuca and Richard Hidalgo...I ALWAYS looked forward to seeing them at Lion's Picnics and Fiesta parties and looked forward to seeing their beautiful costumes at each event. These people were the epitome of Santa Barbara hospitality as my dad said in the article...beautiful inside and out, gracious and classy. Its amazing to me he was 90: the influential adults in your life seem to remain to you in their 50s at all times. a Fond farewell, Mr Hidalgo, "thanks for the memories" !

Amy Redding Fausnaught

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