Ricardo A Baca Chavez

Ricardo Antonio Baca Chávez, 83, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on December 7, 2025. He was born on August 17, 1942, in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, México. Ricardo was a devoted husband to Maria Isabel Mares de Baca for 61 years, a loving father to his children and grandchildren, and a steadfast source of strength and guidance for all his loved ones.

As a proud alumnus of Cathedral High School “La Cate” and graduate of the Class of 1959, Ricardo was an active member of Los Que Van Quedando. Ricardo graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso (Texas Western College) in 1963 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and was a proud member of the American Society of Civil Engineers as an undergraduate.

Ricardo was a Certified Professional Construction Estimator, serving the El Paso and nearby communities in Texas and New Mexico since 1963. He dedicated close to 60 years to the fields of civil engineering and professional construction estimating. Ricardo founded his own estimating firm in El Paso, in 1976, Professional Construction Consultants Inc. (PCC) which closed its doors in 2021. Ricardo founded and served as Executive Director of El Paso Bid Depository, Inc., and he was a Fellow Member of the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE). Ricardo took great pride knowing he was one of the first Latino construction estimators in the nation. For his exceptional skill, professionalism, expertise, vision, and contributions to the field of construction estimating, Ricardo was named “Estimator of the Year” by the ASPE.

Ricardo had a sharp mind, was a genius with numbers, had a witty sense of humor, and was a man of great faith. He was a loyal parishioner of St. Pius X Catholic Church where he served on the Finance Committee for numerous years and was a member of the Finance Committee of the Diocese of El Paso. God was at the center of Ricardo’s life.

Playing baseball and softball from a very young age, Ricardo made a name for himself as a baseball and softball player in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. As a stellar baseball and softball player and pitcher, Ricardo was inducted, in 1996, to the Salón de la Fama del Deportista Juarense A.C.

Ricardo is survived by his wife, Maria Isabel Mares de Baca, his children – Maria Margarita Baca Gomez, Isabel Baca, Patricia del Carmen Baca, and Ricardo Antonio Baca Jr.-, his grandchildren – Carlos Jr., Antonio, Margarita, Divina, Anaí, Delicia, Ricardo III, Sebastián, Mia, Frida, and Santiago – and extended family to include in-laws, nephews, and nieces – all who will miss him dearly. Ricardo is preceded in death by his parents, Ester Chavez de Baca and Manuel Atocha Baca, and his siblings, Manuel N. Baca, Lilia Ester Baca, and Alicia Baca.

Ricardo was an avid fan of his children and grandchildren – always attending their sports competitions, games, concerts, recitals, and all extracurricular activities. Ricardo, “Tata,” as his grandchildren called him, always lent a listening ear and offered words of wisdom. If you knew Ricardo, you knew how important family was to him, how baseball was his passion, and how his unquenchable cravings for pan dulce and Twinkies were never ending.

Ricardo stood tall and had a strong personality that drew attention and respect. We were blessed to have him in our lives and share a lifetime with him. We find comfort in knowing that Dad’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, the strength and courage he demonstrated throughout his life, and the memories we will cherish forever.

You always saw the best in each of us. Your constant support and unwavering love left a mark on us that will never fade and will carry us throughout our lives. Until we meet again, Papá! Love you mucho!

A rosary will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home, located on 1060 N. Carolina Drive, El Paso, TX, 79915.

A mass will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, located on 1050 N. Clark, El Paso, TX, 79905.