René Tapia Salgado

René Tapia Salgado (7 June 1914 – 27 August 2006) was a Chilean physician, farmer and politician.

He served as Deputy for the 25th Departmental Group (Ancud, Castro, Quinchao and Palena) from 1969 to 1973. He was also Mayor of Castro from 1944 to 1950.

Biography After completing his medical studies at the University of Chile, he moved to Castro in 1940, where he worked at the Castro Hospital, becoming its director, and also at the Seguro Obrero. He later worked at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santiago, the Emergency Assistance Service, and the Caja del Seguro Obrero Clinic No. 2.

In parallel, he pursued farming activities at his estate «La Esperanza», dedicated to livestock and crop cultivation.

He joined the Castro Fire Department in 1941 and served as its physician. He also provided medical services to Carabineros de Chile (Chilean police). In 1953 he was appointed medical officer with the rank of lieutenant, completing 30 years of service to the police.

From 1944 to 1950 he was Mayor of Castro. He initially joined the Liberal Party, later joining the National Party in 1966.

In the 1969 elections, he was elected Deputy for the 25th Departmental Group (Ancud, Castro, Quinchao, Palena). He sat on the Permanent Committees on Public Works and Transportation; Economy, Development and Reconstruction; Public Health; and Treasury. He was also a member of the Special Commission on Arsenic in Antofagasta in 1969.

In the 1973 elections, he was reelected Deputy for the same constituency, joining the Permanent Committee on Economy, Development and Reconstruction. His term ended with the coup of 11 September 1973.

He died at his home in Castro on 27 August 2006, at the age of 92. In recognition, a family health center in the city was named after him.