He started working as a professor of the university on May 1, 1940.[1] He worked as professor of the university's faculty of sciences, and as vice-rector from 1956 to 1957. He was distinguished with the classes of the same faculty (1960–61) and of the college of "Las Mercedes" (1940), bearing his name. He worked on the Revista Universitaria, the university's official magazine, writing articles such as: Cursos Principales de Mamíferos del Cuzco y su distribución Zoogeográfica and Apuntes para la Mitología del Cuzco.[2]
He was a member of the Cuzco Scientific Society (Spanish: Sociedad Científica Cuzco). Starting in 1961, he was Rector of the university, belonging to sports and cultural institutions in both Cuzco and Lima. During his tenure as rector, he founded the Fortunato L. Herrera Mixed Application School, which operates under the university.[2]
Chávez was aboard LANSA Flight 501 headed to Lima in order to collect funds for the university when it crashed with no survivors on April 27, 1966. Alongside him were colleagues treasurer César Enríquez Cabrera and accountant José Grajeda Navarrete. A ceremony in their memory was held on the university on May 1, with their bodies present.[1]
Prior to his death, he lived in Kcanchipata street and was married to Tula Gonzáles, with whom he had five children: Jorge, Manuel, David, Lino and Hugo.[2]
See also
David Chaparro Pareja, maternal uncle and fellow rector of the university from 1938 to 1943
