Richard Paul Blair translated on January 9, 2022, at home in Costilla, NM, after a long battle with cancer. Richard showed his courage in facing these challenges with grit and a sense of humor until the end.
He was born in Natick, MA on July 10, 1953 to Doris and Kenneth Blair. Richard moved to Taos in 1973, where he developed his skill in culinary art in the kitchens of El Patio and the Sagebrush Inn before becoming a Certified Executive Chef and lead chef at the Sagebrush Inn Conference Center. He was also the food and beverage director there, as well as at the Quality Inn, Ski Rio (Rio Costilla Resort), Cuchara Ski Resort, and The Red Diamond Grill at the Taos Pueblo Casino.

Richard owned and operated a restaurant in Alamosa, CO, along with his wife of over 24 years, Karen. His passions were skiing, golfing, camping, and mushrooming the beautiful Rio Costilla Park. Go Red Sox!
In 1986, he was one of the chefs who started Taos Feeds Taos. In 1991, he was on the team of Taos chefs who accompanied the Carson National Forest Christmas tree to Washington, DC, where a reception of northern New Mexico food was served in the Capitol Building. For many, many years he was instrumental in the Quality Inn-Vitegolf tournament that raised thousands of dollars for charity.

Richard is survived by his much-loved wife, Karen McCurtain-Blair, son Kevin (DeAnn) Blair, father Kenneth (Louise) Blair Sr., mother Doris Brandon, sister Nancy (Jay) Hogeland, sister Janis Blair, sister-in-law Shelley Blair, granddaughters Leila and Dalila Blair, and Bradley (Christy) and Allegra Sleep, as well as many loved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Richard Blair, Jr., and brothers,Stephen and Kenny Blair.

Richard’s family would like to send a special thanks to Mountain Home Hospice for their compassion and care, especially Deirdre and Esperanza. A Celebration of Life is planned for early summer in his beloved Costilla garden: date and time to be announced. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos. To share a memory, please visit riverafuneralhome.com.