Remembering Tomás Romero
Former executive director of Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area dies
We the board of directors, staff, partners, associates and friends of the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) in Taos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties and beyond are mourning the death of our former Executive Director Thomas (Tomás) A. Romero, who passed away on March 12. Que descanse en La Páz Eterna y en La Divina Lúz.
We send our condolences and our pledge of any help and supportive consolation that the NRGNHA can provide to Tomás’ family: His wife, Luba; sons, Adrian (Maria), Curtis and Chris; grandchildren Eliza, Indigo and Maxon; sisters Patricia Lopez and Roberta Miller (Floyd); and his brother Richard, as well as to his extended family and countless friends.
We who have had the privilege of working with Tomás recognize and know that his death — his leaving — means that we have all lost a great resource of cultural knowledge and intelligence; we know, at the same time, that his work and achievements during his lifetime have, in fact, advanced the tasks, mission and vision of the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, to which he was dedicated in his decade-long tenure as a skilled executive director, and other institutions and organizations, including El Museo Culturál de Santa Fé.
To put it simply, clearly and plainly: Tomás — or Tom, or Thomas, as he was variously called — accomplished very good, professional and effective works in his life, to which many can attest.
For example, NRGNHA Board President and Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen says that she was very impressed by his ability to relate to individuals and groups and departmental bureaucracies in his very effective and compassionate ways, including with the U.S. National Parks Service. “Tom’s abilities kept the NRGNHA afloat,” Hansen said.
Karl Cordova, our National Parks service liaison to the NRGNHA, said that Tom “was a wise man who cared deeply about the heritage values of all of Northern New Mexico. He was a man of courage, compassion, grit and wisdom who will be sorely missed. The NPS is grateful for his great contributions to our mission.”
Patricia Trujillo, Ph.D., a former NRGNHA board president, said “Tom understood New Mexico history acutely, and the Spanish language, and saw our work to be of critical local and global importance. He was caringly involved at every level, from the Garlic Harvest Festivals at NNMC, Historias Conferences, Association of National Heritage Association Meetings, creating the Land Water People Time film and magazine initiatives, and more; and he anticipated the needs of the NRGNHA Board.”
Charlotte Roybal, current NRGNHA board treasurer, says that she knew Tom as a good friend, and that she volunteered with him at El Museo Culturál where she helped him to obtain the nonprofit status for El Museo, and that Northern New Mexico will miss his dedication and all his knowledge.
Mary Trujillo Mascareñas, a founding member of the NRGNHA and chair of the grants committee, says that the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area organization should now take the steps necessary to express our deep gratitude to, and recognition of, Tom’s positive, uplifting and inspiring tenure as our executive director.
There are many more compelling testimonial reflections and recollections about Tom.
Our NRGNHA has come together to positively support Tom’s family now and to appreciate his legacy. Thank you, Tomás. And we continue, in the confident hope that the NRGNHA will successfully carry forward our vision, mission and tasks. Gracias a todos.