Editor’s Note: This obituary for Richard comes by way of a group of friends and co-workers who worked in and around coal mining, the UMWA and labor starting as far back as the Miner’s for Democracy.

Richard Louis Trumka, 72, died on Thursday, August 5th, 2021. Rich, born on July 24, 1949 in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, was a beloved son, father, grandfather, husband, friend, colleague, and leader. As the president of the AFL-CIO, Rich approached each day with a fierce passion to fight for others. When taking respite, he could be found in the great outdoors hunting, fishing, or camping with his family or with fellow members of the Union Sportsman Alliance. Rich helped usher a new generation of leaders through his service on the boards of the National Labor College, The AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and many other groups. He also sat on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute and the Housing Investment Trust, and served as President Emeritus of the United Mine Workers. 

Rich was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Eola (Bertugli) Trumka, his nephew Bryan Szallar, great nephew Bronson Szallar, his in-laws John and Katherine Vidovich, and brothers-in-laws John Vidovich and David Vidovich. Rich is survived by his wife Barbara, son and daughter-in-law, Rich Trumka Jr. (Jessica) of Olney, MD, sister and brother-in-law Francis Szallar (Alex) of McKees Rocks, his brother-in-law, Daniel Vidovich of Gates, his sisters-in-law Nella and Nancy, his three grandchildren Trey and Taylor Trumka and Ki Vidovich, and left to treasure his memory are his nieces and nephews, and his many other cousins. Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, August 10th from 6 to 8 pm, and on Wednesday, August 11th from 2 to 8 pm in the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor. On Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Jefferson-Morgan Middle/High School, 1351 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, there will be a public screening of the private memorial mass. Also a livestream of the mass can be viewed at: www.behm-funeralhomes.com or the AFL-CIO website: www.aflcio.org. In addition Mr. Trumka will lie in repose on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, DC, 815 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. In the following weeks, a larger memorial service (details to be announced) will be held in the Washington, DC area. Masks will be required, and social distancing will be observed at all events. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Penn State’s Scholarship Fund, which was started in Richard’s memory. The memo should reference: ‘Trumka Family Trustee Scholarship/ SCBTK’. The donation can be mailed to: Penn State Donor and Member Services, 2583 Gateway Drive, Suite 130, Bristol Place One, State College, PA 16801

DONATIONS

Penn State Scholarship Fund 
Trumka Family Trustee Scholarship/SCBTK
2583 Gateway Dr., Suite 130, Bristol Place One
State College, PA 16801

Services

10 AUGUST
Visitation
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
BEHM FUNERAL HOMES
1477 Jefferson Rd
Jefferson, Pennsylvania 15344

11 AUGUST
Visitation
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
BEHM FUNERAL HOMES
1477 Jefferson Rd
Jefferson, Pennsylvania 15344

12 AUGUST
Live Stream of Private Mass
JEFFERSON-MORGAN HIGH SCHOOL
Auditorium
1351 Jefferson Rd.
Jefferson, PA 15344

14 AUGUST
Richard Trumka to Lie in Repose at AFL-CIO Headquarters
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
815 Black Lives Matter Plaza (16th St. NW)
Washington, D.C.

Memories of Richard L. Trumka Sr.

Debbie O’Dell-Seneca
August 9, 2021
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.

Gwendolyn & Rev. Louis E. Ridgley
August 9, 2021
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

Ruth Stilwell
August 9, 2021
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.

RONALD BROWN
August 9, 2021
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

Sosthenes Behn
August 9, 2021
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!

Jim Lavelle
August 9, 2021
REST IN PEACE, BROTHER!

Gregory and JanIs Kott
August 8, 2021
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.

Bea Harris
August 8, 2021
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…..

Mary Kiger
August 8, 2021
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.

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