Obituaries

CATHERINE SUE PARTRIDGE Aug. 1, 2021

Sue Partridge, 72, passed away August 1, 2021 at her home in Seattle in the presence of those she loved after a long battle with breast cancer. 

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah and raised in New Mexico, Sue and her two brothers were brought up by their parents Ray and Cate Partridge to appreciate nature and the outdoors, spending summers at the family farms in Utah and Idaho. 

Sue excelled in school, graduating from Los Alamos High School in New Mexico, and early on showed artistic talent and an adventurous spirit. This led to a year spent in France during college, studying Read More

BRYAN LALLY Aug. 4, 2021

Bryan Lally, 63, passed away on August 4, 2021, after a short illness.

After receiving his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, Bryan moved to Los Alamos and started his career at LANL in 1992 with the Process Modeling and Control/Process Engineering group.

He had a long career at the lab, spanning several organizations and touching on several important LANL efforts. Bryan was a founding member of CCS-7, which was created to take on the challenge of preparing for the high performance computing platforms used today.

Bryan retired from LANL in 2016, to enjoy hiking, fly Read More

KENNETH LEE WALKER 1970 – Aug. 31, 2021

Kenneth Lee Walker beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather passed away at his home in Sulphur Springs, Texas on Tuesday August 31, 2021 at age 51. 

While he had been living with a variety of complications from diabetes, his death came unexpectedly. 

Ken was born and raised in Bonham, Texas, had spent part of his youth in Los Alamos, New Mexico where he later returned as an adult to be close to his “momma” and where in 1999 he met the love of his life, Jennifer Levings, and they were married in 2002. The two would later relocate to northeast Texas, eventually Read More

HAROLD ROGERS & MARGARET ANNE ROGERS Aug. 15, 2021

Harold Rogers and Margaret Anne Rogers moved on to the next life together Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.

Harold and Margaret Anne will be interred together Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 at Guaje Pines Cemetery at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos from 3-6 p.m.

The family extends a warm invitation to all who knew and loved The Rogers’ and their children, Christie and Roger (“Rog”).

Please make donations to a dog rescue or shelter of your choice.

An obituary will be written in honor of the Rogers’ at a later date.

  Read More

WILLIAM JAMES ‘BILL’ MYERS Dec. 23, 1925 – Aug. 27, 2021

Bill Myers was born Dec. 23, 1925, in Mills, Harding County, New Mexico. He began his life on a farm and enjoyed the friends and life of a small community during the depression years. He was always busy, mainly trying to make things work, whether it was a bicycle, or something he built.

He attended elementary school in Mills, and got his high school education in Springer, NM. While in Springer he boarded with Dr. Masten who made house calls all over northeastern New Mexico and he was the Doctor’s official driver.

After graduation from high school, Read More

MARGARET CLARISSA ‘JOY’ BLACKADAR-DEAN Oct. 9, 1928 – 2021

Margaret Clarissa “Joy” Blackadar-Dean of Albuquerque, NM passed away peacefully with her loved ones surrounding her after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s.

Joy was born Oct. 9, 1928 in Plainfield, NJ to Walter Lloyd and Harriet Blackadar. After graduating from North Plainfield High School in 1946, Joy went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Denison University in 1950 and a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado in 1957.

During her time at the University of Colorado she met and married her husband of 62 years, Read More

ALFRED HOWARD ZELTMANN Dec 25, 1921 to Aug 31, 2021

Alfred Howard Zeltmann of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away Tues, Aug 31, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. He was 99 and died of old age.

Al was born at home in Brooklyn, New York, on Christmas Day in 1921, the eldest son of Ernest William Zeltmann and Anna Kannard Zeltmann. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn Technical High School and then Cooper Union in New York City.

He married his high school sweetheart Audrey Ritchie soon after being drafted into the army in 1942. In 1944 he was assigned to the Special Engineer Detachment Read More

DEIDRE ANN PLUMLEE June 12, 1951 – Aug. 23, 2021

Deidre Ann Plumlee was born June 12, 1951 in Eunice, NM and passed from this life August 23, 2021 in Los Alamos.

Deidre was a “one off”. A unique individual of rare intelligence, but with a self effacing charming demeanor.

There were very few subjects, from astrology to zoology, in which she was not interested. Deidre was a publisher, an author and a poet. She was an Artist with a capital “A”. Her use of several media was amazing and she was so proficient with all that she attempted; be it oils, pen and pencil, water color and other mixed media, were all her Read More

WILMA IRENE BECK Nov. 7, 1930 – Aug. 19, 2021

Wilma Irene Beck was born to loving parents in Speedway, Indiana Nov. 7, 1930. It was there that she grew up with her younger sister Deloris. They were proud of their father Floyd Beck and mother Thelma, who owned Beck’s Drug Store, where Floyd was a pharmacist.

Growing up in Speedway, home of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wilma, or “Willie” as she was called by her friends, had a love for fine cars. Wilma often drove the streets of Speedway in the Beck’s Drug Store car.

Wilma earned a BA degree from Butler University in Indiana. She later met Read More

WILBERT DALE BRESHEARS April 25, 1939 – Aug. 15, 2021

Dale Breshears was born in Portland, OR to Raymond and Geneva Breshears. Ray was an accountant who grew up on a homestead in New Mexico but knew that wasn’t the life for him and took a train as far away as possible, ending up in Portland, Oregon. Geneva was a homemaker and the eldest of 5 siblings. She quit school early to work as a secretary to help with the family expenses. Ray and Geneva met at Mallory Avenue Christian Church in Portland.

Dale was an only child, but he enjoyed being with his cousins Don and Ailene in Eugene, Oregon. As a kid, he loved Read More

PETER CLARE LINDAHL Nov. 14, 1941 – Aug. 20, 2021

Peter Clare Lindahl of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021, at the age of 79. After several months of declining health, Pete died peacefully with his beloved wife Mary Ann Lindahl by his side.

Pete was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 14, 1941. He was raised in Ingleside, Illinois and graduated from Grant High School in 1959. He received his bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest University and a doctorate degree in analytical chemistry from Southern Illinois University. He worked for Perkin Elmer, ExxonMobile, Argonne Read More

MARGARET CRUZ Aug. 17, 2021

Margaret Cruz, a longtime Los Alamos resident, ended her battle with Alzheimer’s on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, she was 82 years old.

Margaret was a vibrant woman and had a zest for life. She was generous, funny and brutally honest.  

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Eliverto and Manuela Alvarez, her husband of 37 years David Cruz, and her grandson Aaron Bowers.

She is survived by daughters Pearl (Tom) Faulk, Carla (Robert) Clark, 6 grandchildren, 3 sisters, and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday August 30th, 2021 at 11:00 Read More

CLARA SCHWARTZ RIEBE PETERSON 1942 – Aug. 14, 2021

In the early hours of Aug. 14, 2021, a piece of the Riebe family’s heart was broken. Clara Schwartz Riebe Peterson passed away at the age of 97. She was caring, devoted and generous to a fault.

Clara is survived by her children: Jae Riebe (Dave Modl) Rio Rancho, Shelly Riebe Los Alamos, Lorraine Kennedy (Brian) Austin, Texas, Joe Riebe (Sandy) Rio Rancho, Chuck Riebe (Carol Valdez) Santa Fe, Debby Pacheco (John) Kirtland, Bruce Riebe (Florence) Los Alamos, 13 grandchildren: Marvin, Ken, Mindy, Jennifer, Jon, Pheneous, Alicia, Danny, Jason, Read More

BLANCHE TEMPLAR Oct. 30, 1948 – July 22, 2021

Blanche Templar, 72, a resident of Florence, Oregon, formerly a Los Alamos resident, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 22, 2021.

Blanche was born Oct. 30, 1948, in Watertown, New York, to Robert Charles and Lois (Wood) Templar. She spent her youth in Rochester, New York and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1966.

Blanche began her lifelong career in the medical field at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Blanche lived in several states, working and raising her children, until she discovered a cherished home in Florence. She continued Read More

KENNETH MARK RUTHERFORD Sept. 10, 1952 – Aug. 11, 2021

Ken Rutherford, 68, a long time Los Alamos resident, passed away after a fall in the driveway. He lived with Parkinson’s in recent years, but he never let it slow his sense of humor and kind-natured love for all.

He was born in 1952 to Perry and Rita Rutherford in the then-closed city of Los Alamos. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1970.

His many adventures in life included ski-bumming in Colorado, working construction, as a licensed Realtor, building a solar adobe home in La Mesilla, running Allied Foods, and playing Tavern League Poker. Read More

MARY ANN ROSS Nov. 4, 1943 – Aug. 7, 2021

Mary Ann Ross, beloved mom, grandma, sister, cousin, and friend died on Aug 7, 2021.

She lived life on her own terms with humor, independence, and tenacity. While her last year of life was difficult after the death of her husband, John Ross, the love and support of family and friends made it possible for her to stay in her beloved home to the end.

Mary Ann was born in her mema’s house in Chambersville, Arkansas, on November 4, 1943. She was raised in Arkansas and attended several schools as her Daddy was a school superintendent. After attending Arkansas State Teacher’s Read More

FRANCIS JOSEPH FITZGIBBON, JR. April 6, 1948 – Aug. 17, 2021

Francis Joseph Fitzgibbon Jr. of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in Santa Fe of complications from recent surgery.

Joe was born April 6, 1948, in El Paso, Texas as the eldest son of Nancy Scott and Francis Joseph Fitzgibbon, Sr. Joe spent his childhood in Los Alamos, graduating from Los Alamos High School. He went on to college at the University of New Mexico graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.

After many years of working for private contractors serving the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Joe went to Read More

MARY JO MCGRATH-HOFFMAN Feb. 7, 1951 – July 21, 2021

Mary Jo McGrath-Hoffman (70) of El Paso, Texas passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Mary Jo was the first of ten children born to William J. McGrath and Dorothy H. Cusack McGrath.

She was born February 7, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and spent her early years growing up in Southern Michigan. The family moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1967 where Mary Jo completed her formal education and graduated Mayfield High School in 1969.

Shortly after graduation she began working for the University of California – Los Alamos Read More

SANDRA KAY FLETCHER May 20, 1952 – July 13, 2021

Sandra Kay Fletcher died July 13, 2021, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe after a long illness.

She was born May 20, 1952 in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Henry A. “Hank” and Myrtle Heerssen “Kitty” Nowotnik. 

In July of 1981, she and Michael A. Fletcher were married at their home in White Rock, New Mexico, where they resided throughout the forty years of their marriage.

While juggling work and family, she was able to earn her BA in Business Administration from the College of Santa Fe and continued her lifelong love of learning by taking online courses Read More

PHIL (L.P.) REINIG July 31, 2021
BEVERLY REINIG Oct. 20, 1926 – Aug. 10, 2021

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Phil and Beverly, our loving and devoted parents, friends and to all whose lives they touched.

Phil (L.P.) Reinig, business entrepreneur, fly fisherman, avid downhill skier, magnificent dancer, patriot, accomplished traveler, voracious reader, devoted husband and father died on Saturday, July 31, 2021. Beverly Reinig devoted wife, mother, artist, animal lover and gifted gardener died Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

The women in Bev and Phil’s lives were special and cherished. Read More

CANDICE BONE March 24, 1945 – Aug. 9, 2021

As the sun rose on Monday, August 9, Candy rose to glory with her savior.

She was born to Maurice and Joyce Manes on March 24, 1945 in Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Tyler Bone, father to her son, Gerald Bone, and brother, Tracy Manes.

Candy spent most of her life in Los Alamos and retired after a career as a Pharmacist. Candy had many, many friends. She was incredibly kind, patient, and generous. She was athletic: hiking, running, skiing, and horseback riding. She cared for a beautiful flower garden in her front yard for neighbors to Read More

MERRELL NELSON July 7, 1945 – July 18, 2021

Merrell Nelson passed away on July 18, 2021 at the age of 76, while surrounded by her loving family.

Merrell and her twin sister Marion Kolsby were born in Columbus, Georgia, on July 7, 1945 to Otis Dewitt and Sarah Charlotte Smith. Merrell met her husband, Ronald Nelson, while studying mathematics at Florida State University; their friends, in keeping with university tradition, tossed them in the Westcott Fountain for luck. The couple enjoyed the next 54 years together.

Merrell gave of her heart and home without reserve, helping to raise Marion’s two Read More

MARILYN RUTH HIBBEN March 30, 1930 – Aug. 7, 2021

Marilyn Ruth Hibben, 91, passed away Saturday night, Aug. 7, 2021. She was surrounded with family in her passing, in Powell, Wyoming.

Marilyn was born March 30, 1930, in Denver, Colorado to Evelyn P. (Morris) Stone and Claude Stone. Shortly after Marilyn’s birth she was adopted by Frank G. Townsend. She graduated from Arvada High School and attended college classes at University of New Mexico.

In 1948, she married Donald Eugene Perkins and had three children, Lois, Shari and Norm. In 1955 Marilyn married Marshall Rapier and had one child, Ruth. Read More

LYNNDA THOMPSON TIANO March 29, 1939 – July 18, 2021

Lynnda Thompson Tiano, 82, of Picayune, MS and longtime resident of Los Alamos, peacefully passed away Sunday, July 18 after a long but gracious battle with Alzheimer’s.

Lynnda was born March 29, 1939, to Marilynn and Tommy Landon in Henderson, TX. Henderson is where she learned to love to dance, especially with the “Church Hill Boys”. After graduating from Henderson High School in 1957, she enrolled at the Texas Women’s College and majored in dance. 

She managed to stay there a whole semester before she decided college would be a lot more fun Read More

MADGE KEEPIN 1927 – Sept. 29, 2019

Madge Keepin, longtime resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed on, at the age of 92, peacefully in Seattle, Washington Sept. 29, 2019 at the Columbia Lutheran Home. She was buried with her deceased husband, George Robert Keepin, Jr. “Bob”, in a private ceremony Oct. 21, 2019 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Born in 1927 as the middle child to Hilda and Jeremiah Twomey, Madge grew up in Andover, Massachusetts with two siblings, Gerard Twomey and Mavis Twomey Cox, both of whom she outlived. She graduated from Andover’s Abbot Academy and went on to complete nearly four Read More

HERMAN RICHARD MALTRUD Nov. 7, 1931 – July 23, 2021

Herman Richard Maltrud, long-time Los Alamos resident, died on Friday, July 23, 2021. He passed away surrounded by loving family while in hospice care in Los Alamos shortly after suffering a stroke. 

Affectionately known as “Herm”, and more commonly known as Richard or Dick, he grew up in small-town Ada, Minnesota. The eldest of four children, Herm attended St. Olaf College, then obtained a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Washington.

Herm met his wife of 63 years, Nancy Steel from Baltimore, Md., in Bandelier National Monument Read More

JUDITH DAWN DEHAVEN Feb. 26, 1952 – Aug. 06, 2021

Judith Dawn DeHaven, the daughter of the late John W. and Helen Gibson Enders, was born February 26, 1952, in Los Alamos, NM.

On October 22, 1970, in Los Alamos, NM, she was united in marriage to Harold DeHaven. He preceded her in death on September 16, 2019.

She was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM. After many years as an Executive Assistant, she retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Mrs. DeHaven died Friday, August 6, 2021, in Bernie, MO, at the age of 69 years, 5 months and 11 days.

Survivors include 2 sons, Michael DeHaven Read More

GRACE L. OGDEN July 9, 1920 – July 25, 2021

The United Church held a small family service Aug. 2 at Aspen Ridge Lodge to honor the memory of Grace L. Ogden, a small-town girl from a frontier town who grew up to be a loving and devoted family member—and something of a world traveler. 

Grace’s only child, Charmian Ogden Schaller, spoke at her funeral. Charmian’s husband, Stuart Schaller; both of Grace’s grandchildren (Edward Schaller and Eric Schaller); and Edward’s wife Cathy and all four of their children (Grace’s great-grandchildren) attended the service. 

The Rev. David Elton from the Read More

FRANCISCO JAVIER GARCIA Sept. 3, 1933 – July 30, 2021

Francisco (Frank) Javier Garcia passed away in Albuquerque, NM on July 30, 2021.

Frank was born in Fort Collins, Colorado on September 3, 1933.

Frank is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ramona, sons, Frank (Debra), Phil, daughter Michelle, daughter-in-law Carolyn, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Bert who passed in 2020.

A viewing (6:00-7:00 pm) and Rosary (7:00 pm) will be held at Strong Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 on Monday, August 9, 2021.

A mass will be held Read More

JOHN RICHARD IRELAND June 25, 1951 – July 30, 2021

John Richard Ireland was born on June 25, 1951 in Hereford, TX and passed away on July 30, 2021. 

As a child he moved to Moriarty, New Mexico. In Moriarty he met his wife of 51 years, Judy. After attending New Mexico State University and University of California Berkeley, John relocated to Los Alamos, New Mexico, with Judy and their children Travis and Shannon. The family later welcomed daughter Jamie.

John had a distinguished 35-year career as a nuclear engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he held multiple positions and worked on many Read More

TIMOTHY DAVID VAN HECKE July 25, 2021

Timothy David Van Hecke passed away peacefully, in his sleep on July 25th. He had suffered a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was 70 years old.

Tim was born in Santa Fe to James F. Van Hecke and Maxine Parker Van Hecke.

He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1969. He participated in sports from Little League through college.

He attended Eastern New Mexico University, obtaining a B.S. degree with a double major in Journalism and Physical Education. He also obtained a M.S. in Secondary Education to become a teacher and coach.  He was on the ENMU baseball Read More

MARJORIE SHEARMAN BECK Sept. 15, 1924 – July 30, 2021

Marjorie Shearman Beck died at age 96 in San Diego, California Friday, July 30. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

She was born Sept. 15, 1924 in Chicago, Ill. The daughter of Thomas Shearman and Floria Inglis (Shearman). She had three brothers and a sister.

She graduated cum laude with a history degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Marjorie married Robert H. Beck, a professional airline pilot, who was later publisher and owner of the “Roswell Daily Record” in Roswell, New Mexico.

For several years Marjorie Beck Read More

VIRGINIA HOY SAYRE 1923 – July 2, 2021

Virginia Hoy Sayre died peacefully July 2, 2021 in Rio Rancho. NM. She was surrounded by family at the time of her death.

She and her late husband, Edward Sayre, had lived in Los Alamos since 1979 and in Rio Rancho since 2018.

Virginia was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1923. She graduated from Ann Arbor High School and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Cincinnati.

She is survived by her daughter Sabrina and grandchildren Taye and Lola, all of San Francisco, and son Steven of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Virginia served as a nurse in Venezuela with Standard Oil, and as a Read More

MELISSA RUTH WILKINSON Aug. 4, 1973 – Aug. 1, 2021

Melissa Ruth Wilkinson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on August 1, 2021.

Melissa was born in Tacoma, Washington, on August 4, 1973, to Ed Ager and Carolyn Parker. A current resident of Baker City, Oregon, Melissa is survived by her husband, Rob, children Drew, Erin, Tatiana, Zack, and Jordan, parents Ed (Debra) Carolyn (Bill) siblings, Betty (Gary), Teresa (Jeff), Darwin, Dewayne, Brian (Crystal), & Jack. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

On August 7, 2021, at 1:00 PM, there Read More

MATTHEW LEE WHITAKER Nov. 2, 1978 – July 23, 2021

Matthew Lee Whitaker passed away unexpectedly July 23, 2021, in Los Alamos, NM.

Matthew was born Nov. 2, 1978, in Los Alamos, NM and was a graduate of Los Alamos High School, class of 1997. After high school he enrolled in some college classes and took part in a technician training program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Later, he received certification as a Network Wiring Installer and worked as a PBX technician in network communications. He was a lifelong resident of Los Alamos.

He is survived by his parents, Barbara and Rodney Whitaker; sister Read More