Alvarez, who was originally engaged in the textile industry, was firm in its effort to end the long period of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
In 1958 the presidency was filed against the ruling PRI candidate Adolfo Lopez Mateos, in a quixotic campaign.
Nearly three decades later, when the ruling party seemed immovable, he launched a campaign of opposition in his home state of Chihuahua, to protest against electoral fraud and had a long hunger strike that contributed to international attention pose on the fight Mexican opposition in favor of democracy.
But the electoral victory of the PAN came to 2000; then ended the 71 years of unbroken PRI rule.
In 1956, Alvarez was presented to the governorship of Chihuahua and lost. Before that he had not fought in National Action actively, but was known for his work in the community and the defense of civil rights.
Then he organized a Caravan for Democracy from Chihuahua-in the north of the country to Mexico City to give the attorney general the evidence of electoral fraud in state elections.
Two years later, as a candidate for president, Alvarez was arrested and imprisoned for a brief period because, in his account of the facts, was told to be presidential candidate of the opposition was illegal.
Alvarez denounced the tactics of the ruling party, ranging from direct threats during political activities to operating in the polls, and political structure that, from their point of view, impossible the holding of free elections.
In 1986 he was mayor of the state capital of Chihuahua when I went on hunger strike; He sought to draw attention to allegations of electoral fraud in local elections.
After 41 days, the hunger strike gave him popularity among the party ranks and in the Mexican political arena. He lost almost seven kilos and had to be hospitalized.
The following year, at age 67, was named national leader of the party, a position he held until 1993. During his tenure, the PAN won its first state elections, first in California and then in Chihuahua.
Alvarez was criticized for negotiating with President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, elected in 1988 after allegations of fraud recurring but adopted many of the pro-market economy that the PAN had advocated for years reforms.
His willingness to compromise served to pave the way for acceptance of the party as a legitimate political force and its post-presidency in achieving success.
"Showed us what to do and how to be to get this was a better country," said Cecilia Romero, deputy who worked closely with Alvarez.
Friends and family recall Alvarez with jovial and festive character. He liked desktop political discussions.
Luis Hector Alvarez was born on October 25, 1919 in Chihuahua and graduated in business administration at the University of Texas at Austin.
He worked in agriculture before entering the textile industry. He was a member of an association of defense of civil rights in Ciudad Juarez.
His wife, Blanca Magrassi, who also participated actively and relevantly in the party, died last year. He is survived by a son, Jorge Luis, a daughter, Blanca Estela, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In 2000, the PAN candidate for president, Vicente Fox, was elected president and thus managed to oust the PRI from power and put an end to a regime that has left its mark on much of the life of Mexicans twentieth century.
Shortly after taking office, Fox appointed negotiator for dialogue Alvarez the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), the movement in Chiapas, south of the country.
After Alvarez was senator and commissioner for indigenous by appointment of President Felipe Calderon, in 2006 affairs.
His nephew, Fernando, recalled the time when Luis H. Álvarez received the call that confirmed the results of the presidential election of 2000. "His eyes, small, suddenly opened, grabbed my arm and asked me, ' It's possible?'".
Then his uncle said: "I have accomplished my mission, I can die in peace."
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