Pablo Chavez

Pablo Chávez, born in Raton, New Mexico on August 1, 1928, died peacefully at his home in Carlton Senior Living, Pleasant Hill on March 1, 2020 at the age of 91.  Pablo was a graduate of Menaul School in Albuquerque, NM and the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.  He met his sweetheart, Adelaide (Hayes) when she came to teach at Menaul and were married December 26, 1951.  In the early years, Pablo would move with his growing family from Albuquerque, to Oakland, CA to Durango, CO to Albuquerque, and return to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1956, where he began what would be a 30 year career with International Engineering Co. as a hydroelectric engineering specialist.  In 1985, IECo merged with Morrison-Knudsen, where he retired in 1990. 

Pablo was long-time member of St. Andrews, where he and Adelaide joined when they moved to Pleasant Hill in 1957.  He taught Sunday School, coached the Boys Basketball team, served multiple terms on Session, and with Adelaide, organized and lead several mission trips in the 1990’s.  He was a leader in the Northern California Menaul Alumni group, helped with fundraising activities and served on the Board of Trustees for the school. In 2001 he received the Harper C. Donaldson Award for his service as a distinguished alum.  He was an avid fisherman, and family vacations often involved camping and fishing.  In retirement, he became an active member of Sons in Retirement (SIRs) and began golfing again.

Pablo was a loving husband and father, who shared 68 years of marriage with his wife, Adelaide. Together they raised 5 children and welcomed 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren into their lives. He is preceded in death by his parents, Pablo (Sr.) and Annie (Bargas) Chávez; sister, Isadora (Lora) Romero; brothers, Alfredo, Enrique, Antonio, Elias, Luis (Louie), and Juan Andres (Andy).  He is survived by the love of his life, Adelaide; his children, Teresa Sauceda (Leopoldo), Tom Chávez, Virgil Chávez (Bifan), Rebecca Phene (Claude) and Philip Chávez (Kyle); 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; one surviving brother, José Ernesto Chávez, and other extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 9 at 11am, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1601 Mary Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA.  Reception following. 

Oakmont Memorial Park

Viewing, Sunday, March 8, 4 – 5pm

Burial, following Memorial Service at 2pm on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Menaul School in memory of Pablo, at

www.menaulschool.org.

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