Valley Leader And Philanthropist Richard Milanovich To Be Remembered
Starting tomorrow, friends, family and well-wishers will gather to remember and honor Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Chairman Richard Milanovich, who died March 11 after a two-year battle with cancer.
A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. A public remembrance ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a celebration of life reception at noon. All events will be at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Parking will be available at the corner of Avenida Caballeros and Amado Road, according to a statement from Agua Caliente.
The service will celebrate Milanovich’s “life, legacy and contributions to the city of Palm Springs, the Agua Caliente Tribe and the Native American community,” the tribe’s statement said.
Milanovich died at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage at age 69. His service on the Tribal Council started in 1978, and he was elected the tribe’s chairman in 1984.
“Two weeks after undergoing surgery, Richard was back in Tribal Council Chambers to attend the swearing in of the newly elected 2010 Tribal Council,” a memorial tribute released by the tribe stated.
Many tribal and community projects were undertaken during his tenure, including the purchase of the Spa Hotel in 1992; the addition of the Spa Resort Casino in 1995; development and construction of the Agua Caliente Casino in 2001; and the opening of the $90 million Spa Resort Casino in 2003 and the Spa Hotel’s Well Spirit Center Fitness Center in 2004.
The Palm Springs resident also oversaw construction and opening of the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa’s new hotel and expansion in 2008, followed by the completion of the tribe’s entertainment venue, The Show, in February 2009.
Milanovich, who earned a bachelor of science in business and management from the University of Redlands in 1996, was instrumental in the passage of Prop. 5, the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which governs gambling operations on Indian land.
He met with presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and with governors and industry leaders, according to the tribe.
“But it was his common touch that has made him such a popular national figure … His warm magnanimous spirit and his deep respect for our common humanity have charmed everyone he encountered and disarmed the most recalcitrant politician,” the tribe’s statement said.
Milanovich is survived by his wife of 37 years, Melissa, and six children, Scott, Reid, Trista, Sean, Travis and Shari.
Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet ordered the flag at City Hall flown at half-staff Monday and Tuesday last week in honor of Milanovich. Pougnet also said this year’s Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade will be dedicated to the memory of Milanovich, an Army veteran who was particularly fond of the parade.
A condolence book is available for the public to sign at the Palm Springs Public Library, 300 S. Sunrise Way.
