Obituaries

JAMES BYRON BURNS Feb. 8, 1950 – April 1, 2019

James Byron Burns passed away suddenly on April 1, 2019 at the age of 69. He was born on February 8, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to James and Elizabeth Burns and had two older sisters Susan and Kathleen Burns. Here in Milwaukee he also met his wife, Cheryl Lynn Lemanski.

Jim’s passion was education as evidence by his 40-year career working as a middle school educator, teacher-mentor, college professor, educational consultant, published author and New Mexico State Middle School Association leader. Jim dedicated his keen focus to the needs of early Read More

SALLY MAY WINN Jan. 15, 1941 – June 6, 2019

Sally Mae Winn, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Rio Rancho, NM.

Sally was born on January 15, 1941 to Ernest and Evelyn Bowman in Keams Canyon, AZ. She was a long-time resident of Los Alamos, NM where she worked for Los Alamos County and then 18 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory. She retired in 1993 and she and Ken then made their home in Rio Rancho.

Sally is survived by her loving husband, Ken Winn; daughters: Donna Pederson of Tucson, AZ, Shelly Nichols and husband Mike of Weatherford, TX, Tracy Kohler and husband Read More

PATRICIA MURRAY PIMBLEY Aug. 27, 1923 – April 25, 2019

Patricia Murray Pimbley was born Aug. 27, 1923 to Russell and Gladys Riker in Trenton, NJ. She passed on April 25, 2019 in Los Alamos, NM.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and husband George H. Pimbley. She is survived by her three children, Robert, Robbin and Deborah.

Patricia was a registered nurse and also enjoyed passing on her knowledge of nursing to the students she taught.

In lieu of flowers, Patricia requests that donations be made to the Memorial Fund, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church or their favorite charity.

There Read More

DOUGLAS AVERY WILLIAMS Aug. 18, 1928 – May 4, 2019

Douglas Avery Williams, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully May 4, 2019 at his home in White Rock, in the company of his family.

Douglas was born August 18, 1928 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, son of James Lowell Williams and Dorothy Pearl Wallace and brother of Peter Oliver Williams. With the untimely passing of his mother, he then acquired a gathering of stepbrothers: Bruce, Berkeley, Ronald, Roger and Eric Eastman, sons of Lowell’s second wife, Marie Barker Williams.

Douglas graduated in 1946 from Westfield High School Read More

DONALD E. HUMPTON March 6, 1932 – April 22, 2019

Donald Edward Humpton was born in Burlington, Iowa on March 6, 1932 to his parents Dorothy and Frank Humpton.

He grew up in Burlington where at age 14 he met the love of his life, Colleen Storrer. Colleen’s father owned a grocery store down the block from the Humpton household. Donald started making lots of trips to the corner grocery to see this girl. On June 17, 1951, at age 18 he married his sweetheart who was 17 and just a few days past her high school graduation.

The happy young couple began their family in Burlington having Read More

BETTIE L. KERR Aug. 18, 1929 – May 12, 2019

Bettie L. Kerr, 89, passed away on May 12, 2019 at Aspen Ridge Lodge in Los Alamos, where she was a resident for the last 18 months.

Bettie was born on August 18, 1929 in Roswell, New Mexico to parents, Jewell Ryan and Carleton Poe, both from well-known families in Chavez and De Baca counties.

When her parents divorced, Bettie moved to her grandparents’ homestead near Ingleville, NM with her two sisters. Bettie’s mom worked as a clerk in the De Baca County Clerk’s Office in Ft. Sumner and Bettie would stay with her during the summer.

Bettie and her sisters Read More

MARK ‘ROCKY’ AARON ROBINSON Oct. 4, 1950 – April 28, 2019

After a long fight with Alzheimer’s, Mr. Robinson died peacefully Sunday, April 28, 2019, surrounded by his family.  Friends and family will gather at Pinon Park (A.K.A Rocket Park) this Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the life of Mark Robinson. An interment Service will be held at Union Chapel and cemetery in Ira, Iowa June 8, 2019.

Mark Aaron Robinson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He was an Ecological Engineer, Environmental Scientist, and author. He traveled the world, including to Austria, Switzerland, the Philippines, Read More

BANDEL BEZZERIDES June 30, 1940 – May 7, 2019

Dr. Bandel Bezzerides was born in Stockton, CA on June the 30th, 1940 and passed away, May 7, 2019.

He attended the University of California at Berkeley as an undergraduate for physics and was awarded the prestigious University Medal in 1961, which is bestowed upon the top graduating senior. That same year, at age 21, he was named one of Time Magazine’s “Best and Brightest”.

He received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in theoretical physics in 1967. After a brief postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford, he completed his postdoctoral work at Lawrence Livermore Read More

PAUL PATRICK WHALEN  March 1, 1931 – April 30, 2019

It is with great sadness the Whalen family announces the passing of long time Los Alamos resident, Paul Patrick Whalen on April 30, 2019.

Paul was born in Grand Island, Nebraska on March 1, 1931. He attended a 2-room country schoolhouse for 9 years then transferred to the city high school where he met the love of his life Rosemary Egelhoff.

Paul was a star athlete and set the state track record for the 880 yd run in 1949. He was also an outstanding student and the Valedictorian of his graduating class. Paul was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University Read More

LORETTA J. MAES April 15, 2019

Loretta J. Maes passed away on April 15, 2019, peacefully at home in Las Vegas, NM, at the age of 74.

She was born in the beautiful countryside of Cebolla, NM. Loretta was a loving person who traveled the world through her education. She held a Bachelor of Social Work from NM Highlands University where she developed close relationships with the students and faculty.

Loretta is preceded in death by her beloved son, Patrick Ismael Medina; her grandson, Manuel Saenz; her sister, Lydia Garcia; and her three brothers, Gilbert, Joseph and Sonny Maes.

Loretta is survived Read More

EVERETT D. HOLMES JR. Aug. 3, 1937 – April 26, 2019

Everett D. Holmes Jr. (81) passed away on Friday, April 26th, 2019 at the Los Alamos Medical Center. 

That simple dash between the date of birth and the date of death listed on everyone’s tombstone had a lot of meaning to Everett and he was very proud of the way he lived his dash. He was a 20-year cancer survivor.

He was born in West Hudson Hospital in Kearny, New Jersey – the first child of Everett Daniel Holmes Sr. and Anna Theresa (Kelzenberg) Holmes on August 3rd, 1937.

He was a 1955 graduate of Kearny High School, upon graduation he enlisted into Read More

GLORIA ZAKAR 1951 – April 9, 2019

Gloria Zakar passed away peacefully with family members by her side on April 9. 2019.

She was born in Pfarrkirchen, Germany, but came to the United States at the age of 3 months. Her extended family remained in Hungary, but Gloria was able to occasionally visit with them over the years. Hungarian family remained an important part of her life and a touchstone for her family connections.

Gloria met George at the young age of 18. They quickly fell in love, married, and had a daughter Andrea and son George (Bandi). The family moved to Los Alamos in 1975. She worked full time, Read More

WILLIAM A. WILDS Nov. 22, 1933 – March 13, 2019

William A. Wilds, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2019 at the Los Alamos Medical Center.

William was born in Fremont, Nebraska on November 22, 1933 and lived in Nebraska and Colorado until high school. William moved to North Hollywood, California mid-way through his junior year of high school.

After graduating high school in North Hollywood, William started his career as a machinist and later progressed to mechanical design and engineering in the defense sector. In 1968 he moved his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Read More

JAMES CAMPBELL WILHELM April 5, 2019

James Campbell Wilhelm, 70, of Albuquerque and formerly of Los Alamos passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2019. 

Jimmy, as he was affectionately known, graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1966 and as a Registered Nurse from the University of New Mexico in 1974. He served in the US Navy from 1966 – 1972.

In his earlier years Jim enjoyed camping and backpacking with his many friends and family and more recently traveling with his wife.

Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents Richard and Doris Wilhelm of White Rock. He is survived by his wife Read More

ERIC O. MARTINEZ April 17, 1964 – April 4, 2019

His heavenly Father lead one of his angels back home, Eric O. Martinez, on April 4, 2019 at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Medical Cancer Center in Denver, CO; while being treated for Multiple Myeloma (bone cancer).

He could not have been in a better facility due to the professionalism of the staff that cared for him. Our Lord and Savior just had other plans for Eric. 

Those whose lives he touched will be devastated by his death, but know Eric for who Eric was. A man of great faith, Eric traveled to the holy land two times to walk where Jesus walked. He was the Read More

SANDRA MCGINTY April 1, 2019

If you were out on the town and ran into Sandy McGinty, chances are you’d find her with a cigarette in one hand a drink the other. She might be at the bar or behind it, but she’d always be ready for a conversation and to make a new friend.

Born Sandra Kinney in Akron, Ohio in 1940 to Cread and Margaret (Jennings) Kinney, she was married before her 18th birthday to her high school sweetheart, John “Butch” McGinty. Two years later, with baby boy in tow she was crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary to join her husband on his Air Force posting.

Two daughters Read More

EDWARD LITTLE March 27, 2019

Edward Little, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, went to be with the Lord, passing peacefully on March 27, 2019, just shy of his 99th birthday. 

Ed is survived by his wife of 75 years, Mary, his son Robert, his daughter, Susan (Russell), his grandsons Michael (Courtney) and Jacob (Sara), his great-granddaughter Ellie, and cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, William H. Little, Sr. and Elizabeth Little and his brother William H. Little, Jr. (Fleata).

Ed was born in 1920 in North Carolina. His family moved several times during his Read More

LINE WOO March 17, 1923 – March 26, 2019

Line Woo, 96, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Though petite in stature, Line Woo was a strong willed and determined woman imbued with internal fortitude. After her second divorce, she transformed herself into a successful business woman decades ago when such a career choice for a woman was frowned upon.

She became a jeweler and operated two successful businesses whilst at the same time raised and nurtured her three children. All three went on to pursue successful careers in their own right.

In her retirement years she enjoyed a full and Read More

JOHN A. CHAPMAN March 11, 1930 – March 23, 2019

John A. Chapman, 89, a resident of White Rock, NM passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

He was born March 11, 1930 in East St. Louis, Ill.  At the age of 17 John joined the Marines and served in China and also served during the Korean War. After discharge, he worked for several railroads firing steam engines.

John moved his family to Los Alamos, NM in 1956 where he served his community as a Police Officer. After a limited period of time at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he rejoined the Los Alamos Police Department and later retired in May 1988 with Read More

CAPPY LOVE HANSON GORDON May 12, 1946 – Feb. 8, 2019

Cappy was born in California on May 12, 1946 and passed away in Douglas, Arizona on February 8, 2019.

She is survived by her husband and dearest love, Dennis Gordon.

She came to New Mexico in 1988 and lived primarily in Los Alamos until she and Dennis moved to southern Arizona in 2004. She loved the Sangres and the Jemez, and hiking and snowboarding. She loved birds and animals and filled her life with them. She was an avid birder.

Above all, she loved the music and magic of words; she was an award winning, published poet and author.

Cappy was a kind and openhearted Read More

EDWARD RAUCHFUSS Jan. 28, 1930 – March 23, 2019

Ed was born to Marvel and Eugene Rauchfuss.

He graduated from Powell High School and was active on sports. During his youth he was a partner in his father’s bee business. He spent four years in the Air Force, stationed in Denver, Colorado where he met his wife Vera. The union brought forth three children.

Ed graduated from the University of Wyoming where he earned a BA in in teaching. He taught 4th grade in the Powell School System. He went on to graduate from the North Carolina College in 1967 with a MA in Audio Visual.

He was hired by Los Alamos Public School Read More

GEORGE F. ERICKSON May 10, 1929 – March 5, 2019

George Frank Erickson died peacefully in Los Alamos on March 5, 2019 with family by his side. 

George was born in Oak Park, IL on May 10, 1929. He had a colorful childhood on the streets of Chicago exploring the wonders of energetic chemical reactions and high power electrical devices that sparked the technical passions that he carried with him through the rest of his life.

He spent time in Buffalo, NY while taking classes at the State University of New York and later joined the Naval Reserve as an electronics technician. He worked a variety of jobs Read More

MARGARET MONTAGNO CLAY Aug. 13, 1939 – March 18, 2019

Margaret Montagno Clay passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 18, 2019, in Los Alamos at the age of 79.

Margaret was born August 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, to Della Quarto and Antonio Montagno and lived in New York until the age of 8, when her family moved to Columbus, Ohio.

Margaret hated to be the center of attention and rarely talked about her accomplishments, but she had many. Margaret graduated from St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame in 1961 and subsequently earned her Master’s in History from Fordham University in 1963. Having Read More

THOMAS LEE CHRISTOFFERSON Sept. 19, 1949 – March 9, 2019

Thomas Lee Christofferson of Austin, Texas, formerly of Fredericksburg, Texas, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A service in celebration of Tom’s life will be held in Fredericksburg at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Tuesday, March 26th at 1:00 p.m.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Janice, son Justin, (Nicole) of Oklahoma City, OK, step-daughter Amanda Ontrakarn (Mike) of Austin, Texas, step-son Nick Voltin (Deanna) of Spring Branch, Texas, grandsons Colt Christofferson and Grant Read More

WALLACE “WALLY” REID WEIR Feb. 21, 1933 – March 14, 2019

Wallace “Wally” Reid Weir, age 86, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2019.

Wally was born on February 21, 1933, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Reid William and Lois Weir. He married his wife of more than 60 years, Joyce Anne Campfield, on November 21, 1958, in Fontana, California.

When Wally was 15, he lied about his age and joined the Santa Fe Railroad. Starting out as part of the “Bridge and Building” crew, he worked his way up to Lineman. When he left the railroad, he tried his hand at being an auto mechanic, successfully owning two Read More

MILES BARON March 13, 2019

It is with great sadness that the family of Miles Baron announces his passing on March 13, 2019 at the age of 59 years after a hard fought eight-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer.

Miles will be forever remembered by his wife of nearly 14 years Erica, his beloved son Rigel, and his brother Seth. 

Miles is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Rita Baron.

Miles was born in Española, NM, but grew up in many different places around the country. He graduated from Boca Raton High School in Florida where he was a standout swimmer, cross-country runner, Read More

JAMES MCNALLY Dec. 18, 1936 – Feb. 26, 2019

James Henry McNally passed away peacefully on February 26, 2019 at age 82 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He was the son of James O. McNally and Edith (nee Jones) McNally and was born in Orange, New Jersey on December 18, 1936.

Educated in the Millburn, New Jersey public schools, Jim then received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Engineering Physics at Cornell University. Jim then went to Cal Tech and earned his doctorate in physics. He was a respected physicist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico for 25 years.

Upon retirement, Dr. McNally Read More