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LOUIS H. "LOU" Who devoted his career to public service and was a top administrator for governors in New Mexico and federal officials in Washington, D.C., has died at age 72. Gallegos worked as chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson and retired U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici. He was appointed to posts in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior departments. He died Saturday, Aug. 6 at his home in Rio Rancho. State Republican Party Chairman Monty Newman said, "Lou's dedication to public service and to the great state of New Mexico will leave a legacy for generations to come." Gallegos was born in Amalia in Taos County and served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years. After stints at New Mexico's highway department and labor agency, Gallegos started a long career in federal public service by joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1968. He served as a regional director of the food stamp program and a state director of the Farmers Home administration. He was Domenici's chief of staff in 1980-84 in Washington, D.C., and the senator's director of field operations in New Mexico in 1977-80. Former Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan Jr. once wrote that "government works because of the dedication of thousands of men and women...Lou Gallegos is one of the most dedicated and gifted of those people." Gallegos served under Lujan as assistant secretary for policy, management and budget in the Interior Department in 1989-90. During former Gov. Garrey Carruthers' administration, Gallegos was secretary of the state Human Services Department in 1987-88. Carruthers once wrote, "Lou has always wanted to be at bat when you needed runs. He has taken on the tough jobs, stayed focused and highly principled and delivered in the clutch. Lou loves the game of public service and does it very well. It has always been a team game for Lou. He has always been in the game for those who matter the most - all of the citizens of New Mexico." Gallegos was Johnson's chief of staff from 1995 to 2001, including doing double duty as acting secretary of the Human Services Department during part of his tenure. He helped oversee implementation of welfare reforms and Medicaid managed care. Cabinet secretaries in the Johnson administration once recommended Gallegos for a public service award, lauding his ability to quickly grasp the substance of a complex issue and to "almost instantly assess its nuances and political consequences." After leaving the Johnson administration, Gallegos served as assistant secretary for administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and retired in 2003. In between his many governmental assignments, Gallegos farmed in Lovato and later at his home in Rio Rancho planted a garden each year. He collected elephants, knives, unique rocks and Mickey Mouse collectables In a speech at Tuskegee University in 2001 to a conference of professional agricultural workers, Gallegos called for a "grand coalition" of Hispanics and African Americans "working together to achieve our common dreams." "I dream of the day when my African American/Hispanic grandchildren...will not have to define their world by the color of their skin. It is a good dream," Gallegos said. Lou is survived by his wife, Rita Nunez-Gallegos; his five children; Jerry L.L. Gallegos (wife Cara, children Gracie and Loretta), Martin A. Gallegos (wife Mary, children Antonia and Martina), Lauris H. Gallegos (wife Pepper, children Alexis and Duncan), James A. Gallegos (wife Lana, children Joanne, Miquela, Jami, Santiago and Eric) and daughter (and favorite) Louisa M. Gallegos and their mother Maria Gallegos. Lou loved and cherished his grandchildren and his most recent addition, his great-grandson, Darwin Gallegos. Lou is also survived by his siblings Wendell (Lena) Gallegos, Elizabeth (Guadalupe) Ybarra, Martha (Daniel) Ledezma, Steve (Julie) Cordova, Charles (Debbie) Gallegos and Ronald Gallegos; his sister-in-law Mary Jo Cordova (husband Ike Lopez (children Earl, Adria and Alexis and beloved God Daughter Arianna C de Baca (parents Sam and Alexis). Lou was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Rachel Gallegos; sisters, Rosemary Gallegos and Irene Vasquez and her husband Octaviano. Viewing and Visitations will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011 and from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2011 in the Chapel of Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE and Meadowlark Lane, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Viewing and Visitation will continue from 6:00 p.m. until the recitation of the Rosary which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Joseph's Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM. The Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, August 15, 2011 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, 131 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM. Mr. Gallegos will be laid to rest at Santa Fe National Cemetery. To view funeral information or leave condolences please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Mr. Gallegos's care entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Chapel 4310 Sara Rd. SE at Meadowlark Lane Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920
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