In memoriam: Richard 'Dick' Jaffre

Richard "Dick" Jaffre, a longtime fixture of the scrap recycling and steel industries, has died at age 79.

Jaffre began his influential career in 1966 at Latrobe Steel in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, upon receiving a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1974, he joined Midlothian, Texas-based Chaparral Steel, a subsidiary of Texas Industries Inc., as a scrap buyer before eventually working his way to vice president of raw materials. He worked at Chaparral Steel till his retirement in 2007.

According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, Jaffre was the first steel producer to serve on the organization's board of directors and in 2004 received the ISRI Gulf Coast Region's annual Israel Proler Award for outstanding contribution to the recycling industry. The award is named in memory of Israel Proler of Houston-based Proler International Corp., who served as Gulf Coast chapter president of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel from 1955-1956.

Jaffre grew up in Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro, maintaining his Brazilian roots throughout his life. He met his wife, Jean, while working at Latrobe Steel. He is survived by his wife; his children, Lisa and Michael; grandchildren, Markus, Benjamin, Jonathan and Max; and his brother, Jim.

A memorial honoring Jaffre's life was held Aug. 12 in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages gifts made to the University of Texas Southwestern Circle of Friends.