Tucson Standard

Former Tucson City Manager Joel Valdez, who worked for many years in community service in Tucson, died recently at age 87, according to a report by Arizona Daily Star.

Valdez spent 16 years as Tucson’s city manager and worked for another 20 years in business administration at the University of Arizona. He is also remembered as a champion of bilingual service in the local library system.

“He was so important to Tucson," son David Valdez said, according to Arizona Daily Star. "Unselfishly, he did a lot of things behind the scenes that he never really cared about receiving credit for, usually giving credit to other individuals. The contributions that he made to the city and the university will live on forever.”

David Valdez referred to his father as the “definition of a civil servant.”

“He worked selflessly,” Valdez said. “He did everything he possibly could to make Tucson better, to make someone's life better."

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero offered her sympathies to the Valdez family after their loss.

“I want to offer my condolences to the Valdez family on behalf of my family and the city of Tucson family,” she said in a statement. “In addition to Joel’s distinguished service to the city of Tucson and the University of Arizona, he was a hardworking man, devoted to his family and to public service. His contributions to our community and the many people he mentored will be felt for a long time.”

Valdez began his career as a juvenile probation officer in Pima County, and then as superintendent of detention services. After nearly a decade doing that, he he moved to the city office, working in the library system.

In 1970, Valdez took a position in the city manager's office, working his way to city manager in 1974, a position he held until 1990. 

During his term, Valdez focused on capital improvements, libraries and pushing a $300 million bond election in 1984. He also served as an ambassador of sorts for Tucson's Hispanic culture, promoting food and music through such efforts as serving on the board of the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Valdez also set up a scholarship fund for Los Changuitos Feos in 1964, according to a Tucson Sentinal report.

After retiring from the city office, Valdez was named vice president of business affairs by President Henry Koffler at the University of Arizona. UA President Manuel Pacheco later promoted Valdez to senior vice president. Valdez retired from the university in 2010.