Brother Richard Trumka will always be remembered as a labor leader for the United Mine Workers. I had the pleasure of working with the Resolutions Committee  in DC and Miami and always admired the motivational speaker Brother Trumka was. It was an honor to serve under his leadership for the UMWA. My deepest condolences to the family of our Brother. He will be sadly missed and a great loss not only to his family,  but to the UMWA, THE AFL, and labor world wide. Rest In Peace Brother Trumka. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Barb, little Rich and other family members during this very difficult time.  We have so many fond memories with Big Rich, Barb, and little Rich while our boys were attending school and playing sports together.  

Our hope is the Trumka family can find peace with   the wonderful Memories of all the family times shared and in the  great pride and love that Big Rich always expressed  for his family.

David & Patty Yates

Thank you for your hard work for Working Families.
Rest in Peace my Brother.

Coalition of Black Trade Unionist - Dayton, OH Chapter
Sheila Moore - President

A Good Man Has Gone .
I’ll see you at the next crosscut Brother Rich .

My deepest condolences to Mrs. Trumka and her family.
Rich was one of the most sincere, nicest, and most effective men I have had the pleasure of meeting.
Through our many conversations, I was always struck by his genuine affection for his family. Once, when Fr. Sean McManus, President of the Irish National Caucus, and I were in his office, I commented on the drawings that he proudly posted behind his desk because, at work, I post my grandson Brendan's drawings.   Then, with a huge smile, Rich told me about his three grandchildren, and added, "I love them so much."
Richard Trumka was a most impressive man.
Rest In Peace, President Trumka, and May your memory be a blessing.

Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf. I am so blessed that I was fortunate to meet you and  have the opportunity to visit with you. You have left a huge foot print on all your union brothers and sisters.  You will be missed, and in your words "We will carry on".  
My deepest sympathies to your family. 
In Solidarity Forever

It was a privilege working with, and for, Rich Trumka. He was an amazing leader and will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to his family. May in rest in power and in peace. 
Jane McDonald

The world is a better place because Rich Trumka walked with us. Condolences to Rich's family and my brothers and sisters at the AFL CI O
Ed Coyle
ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS

Barb, Rich, Jr., Frances and the entire extended family,  I extend my deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of Richard.   I thank you all for your unselfishness of sharing him with all of us for so many years. I worked with Richard at the UMWA District 4 office and got to know him as an amazing man with a dream and zeal for helping the miners and their families, and later saw his dream expand to touch lives throughout this Country and the world! The mold was broken after he came along!  God bless you all and may the Holy Spirit give you the strength to persevere during this sad time!  My love to you all🙏❤️✝️

Sincerest sympathies to Barb and Family from the Louis Orslene Family.  

So sorry we were unable to be there for the visitation and service.  My mother sends her regards. 

We were always proud of Rich and the leadership provided to the UMWA, the AFL-CIO, and the country. 

Rich Trumka a great union leader and a hard working man for the blue collar men and women, he will never be forgotten 💙. I also was a member of pipeliners local 798 for over 35 years. 

President Richard L. Trumka will be dearly missed. My condolences to his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace 

Solidarity 

Dear Barbara, Richard Jr., and all the rest of the family,
I met Rich at the Nemacolin Union Hall, Local Union 6290.  I carried posts with him, I walked picket lines with him, I attended union rallies where he was the featured speaker.  I voted for him when he ran for President of the UMWA.  I was so happy when he won!
Richard was my union brother.  Thank you for supporting and loving him while he worked to make the world better.  Sincerely, Rosie Lane

So sorry to hear the news.  Keeping the family in our prayers

Janet Laws (widow of David Laws former president of Va State AFL-CIO) and family

Our condolences to the Family.
A true Labor Leader for all Workers. 
He will be truly missed.

My family extends sincere condolences in the passing of Richard Trumka.  He was a inspiration to me as I navigated being Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio AFL-CIO.  He was also a blessing to my family when we tragically l lost our granddaughter, personally calling to offer sympathy and help.  I admired his leadership as he fought tirelessly for workers and an economy that works for all.  Rest in Peace Brother Rich.

I am so sorry for the loss of Rich. You are in my prayers.

On behalf of the Alonzo family,  we extend condolences to the family. As a former Texas Stste Representative for 20 years, the State of Texas says we cannot for get the great the great contributions of this great man. As a union man I say goodbye to a fellow brother and that we will continue the fight. 

Rest in Power: always a friend, always remembered 

Mr Trumka the fight you waged for working people gained us much take your rest giant you will be missed 

Please accept our heartfelt condolences
on the loss of your loved one.
Potomac Air Lodge 1976
Retiree's Club

IAM & AW Potomac Air Lodge 1976
228 Moon Clinton Road
Moon Twp, Pa 15108 


Rest in power, Rich. Thank you for your decades of commitment to building working class power. Presente. 

I'm so very sorry to hear of Rich's passing.  He was a kind person and was always good for laughs and good times.  He was always welcome within our family and always there for us when he felt he could be of help or comfort.    Please know I'll be praying for all of you during this difficult time.

As an intern at the AFL-CIO during 2018 I had the rare opportunity to witness some of America’s most steadfast defenders of the working class in action. The example that Rich set for everyone was one of a devotion to equity, kindness, and a willingness to stand up for what’s right. I listened to Rich speak at a number of events throughout the summer. While the topics of the events are no longer prominent in my mind, what has stuck with me is the feeling of hope, joy, and unity that Rich brought with him, even while attendees were nervous not only about the future of their work and finances, but the future of America. His laughter and jokes permeated the tension in the room, and everyone felt safer knowing that, if nothing else, Rich Trumka and the AFL-CIO were fighting for them. 


So Sorry about the loss of this great man, may God keep his family in his hand for comfort and strength 

When Rich was President of United Mine Workers I had attended a rally in southern Ohio, near West Virginia to stand up with so many other union brothers and sisters to fight for the striking mine workers who were forced to work under horrid conditions.  I had learned so much after spending time with the wives and family members of those on strike,  At the end of the afternoon, Rich came to the podium to speak to the mineworkers, their families and those who came to support them.  I was never so moved after listening to his speech.  In that short moment I felt more energized and  pride to be a part of the labor movement.  The speech Rich gave will remain with me forever.  You will be missed by so many but your legend will live on.  

Kathy Gersper
Secretary-Treasurer
OCSEA-AFSCME

Dear Barb & family,
I have wonderful memories of you & Rich- way back when - in the 60’s & 70’s when we all were  very  young!  My Mother (Laura Bononi Ferranti) and Rich’s Mom were good friends & used to visit each other when they could.  So we knew Rich from a young age.  As teenagers  my sister Elaine & I and a few other friends would meet up with Rich & his friends from Greene County & all hang out together.  
Then in the 70’s Rich was working in the coal mines & going to college & law school & playing softball with my ex-husband Bob Nelson in Hopwood.  You two are driving around in an orange corvette!   We all knew Rich would be a leader.  And what a tremendous leader he was!!  Have followed his career & always admired him for his fight for the rights of the little guy.  He had so much fight in him- such a fire- always working to help people get ahead.
My heart goes out to you & all your family.  His death is such a huge loss for you, and for our entire Country.  What a great leader he was!
With deepest sympathy to you & Danny & Pam & all your family, Denice Ferranti-Robinson

Lord, in this life you embraced our Brother Mr. Richard Louis Trumka with your tender love; grant him eternal rest. Welcome him into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

We pray that his wife, Barbara, son and daughter-in-law, Rich Trumka Jr. and Jessica; sister and brother-in-law Francis Szallar  and Alex; his brother-in-law, Daniel Vidovich; his sisters-in-law Nella and Nancy, his three grandchildren Trey and Taylor Trumka and Ki Vidovich, and his nieces and nephews, and his many other cousins, hold on to the cherished memories of  Mr. Richard Trumka and all we have loved and lost in this lifetime. 

“Love is itself the fulfillment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest.” -- St. Augustine

Lou Spencer
Assistant Business Manager
United Association Local No. 5 Plumbers and Gasfitters 


I did not know Mr. Trumpka personally,  even remotely! I've only known him from following the news over the years. I'm a white, educated (PSU) woman who saw the flaws and the negative side of unions (as well as the positives!), but I was always energized by Mr. Trumpka's positions and informed by his insights and passions for what was right. Godspeed Richard Trumpka. The world has lost a good man. 

Peace to his family . He will be missed by many , he already is missed .  I salute him in death as I respected him in life . He strove to do as the ancient Greek philosopher Aeschylus said .   ----.“Tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” Rest in peace Mr. Trumka 

To the Trumka family,

My deepest sympathies to all of you on the loss of Rich.  Such an inspiration!  A man from the corner of Southwestern PA grew into a national leader who cared about people.  I've known him since I became an attorney in the late 70s and he was always helpful, supportive, & kind to me and my family.  One of my fondest memories was attending the 1984 convention with him, Lynn Williams, & Congressman Dr. Thomas E. Morgan.  Thank you for sharing Rich with our nation and beyond.  God bless.

Extending heartfelt condolences to all that mourn the loss of this faithful, tireless “warrior”. Much that has been accomplished for members of America’s working class have been realized because of his many selfless efforts.

Gwendolyn O. Ridgley
Rev. Louis E. Ridgley, Jr.
Past Presidents
Fayette County (PA) NAACP

Like so many young labor leaders, Rich took me under his wing.  He actively sought out women leaders in our movement to make sure we had a seat at the table.  Our union was only 19,000 members, but he treated us the same as if we had a million.  He did not make a show of it, he simply cared about our issues, our battle with the administration, the attacks on our profession and members were his battles.  He made sure we knew that we were not alone in the fight, that the entire American labor movement had our backs. 

My tribute on social media was simply this: 
As I drove back to the office, I heard the news that Rich Trumka had died.  I wasn't ready for that.  When I received my master's degree, it was Rich Trumka that handed it to me.  When I served on the AFL-CIO secretary treasurer's committee, it was Rich Trumka that selected me.  When I argued at the AFL Convention for seats for small unions on the executive committee, it was Rich Trumka that opposed me. When we were fighting to preserve our profession and our union against an administration that wanted to decertify us, It was Rich Trumka who counseled me.  And when he was telling a story about his work at the Robena Mine, I asked my father if Uncle Frank knew him then.  He told my dad, "I know Rich Trumka better than I know you, Rich Trumka saved my pension." 
Whether you knew him or not, whether you met him or not, if you are a working man or woman in America, Rich Trumka touched your life.  His lifelong fight for fair wages and safe working conditions doesn't end today, it is up to us to keep moving forward. 
Rest my brother, you have earned it.

Rich and I met at Penn State in the fall of 1968 when we both resided in North Halls. We were apartment roommates in 1970 & 1971. Rich traveled with me several times to my parents' home in Shartlesville, Berks County, PA. I have attached 2 photos of Rich & I when he visited in 1970 or 1971 and also a photo of when he was an usher in my August 1973 wedding. We last got together in 1991 when he was still President of the United Mine Workers Union. Over the years after I often thought of contacting Rich but did not want to interrupt what I am certain was a very busy schedule with people of higher stature. As I approached retirement this year I thought about trying to reconnect with Rich when he retired, unfortunately that opportunity is now lost. We have lost a good common sense man who never forgot his roots. I truly regret not having tried sooner to reconnect.

My Condolences
Ron Brown
PSU Class of 72

I worked with  Rich at the Nemacolin  (Buckeye) mine. He was a dedicated hard worker.  I met him briefly after he had assumed the leadership of the UMWA.
God Bless you Rich!

To the Trump Family, 
We went to high school with Rick. 
He was a home town young man that did so much helping others. 
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. 
Springfield, Va. 



I will always remember Rich as a visionary....   he saw how things could be and worked to see many of his visions come to life.
A great speaker and dedicated leader, Rich greeted everyone he met with a warm smile and a handshake..
I was privileged to work with the Baltimore AFL-CIO for many years, and always thought highly of Rich and his goals..... 

Rich Trumka was the “local boy” that many grew up aspiring to be like . He came from a loving family and a loving town . Condolences to his family.

OBITUARY

Richard L. Trumka

24 July, 1949 – 5 August, 2021

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