Obituaries

PAUL M. KRAEMER March 19, 1930 – March 24, 2016

Paul Kraemer passed away on March 24th, 2016 after a full and productive life.

Paul was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Huldah and E.O Kraemer on March 19, 1930. He earned a Doctorate in Public Health from Tulane University, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Wistar Institute, a biomedical Center focusing on cancer research and vaccine development.

He was recruited by Wright Langham for his training in cancer research to be a part of a new Cell and Molecular Biology group in H-4 in 1964. He retired from LANL in 1995. Paul published more than 90 Read More

SAMANTHA M. DAVIS April 6, 2016

Samantha M. Davis died at home in the Sangre de Christo Mountains April 6, 2016 after a two-year fight with cancer. She was 58 years old and of the Christian faith.

Born in Roanoke, VA she was adopted and raised by John Simon and Lorene Owens in Williamsburg, VA. She graduated Williamsburg High School in 1975. Her career included hospital administration in VA, quality assurance and quality control at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station NY, Washington Public Power Nuclear Unit Two WA, administration for Bechtel Small Environmental Projects, and the Bechtel Remedial Read More

PATRICIA ANN (TURNEY) THOMSON Dec. 11, 1933 – April 7, 2016

Patricia Ann (Turney) Thomson passed away quietly and peacefully on April 7, 2016 at the age of 82.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, David Browning Thomson and by her brother Bill Turney and sister Genevieve Ratcliff.  She is survived by her three children and their spouses; Debra and John Beeson of Santa Fe, NM, Barbara and Keith Emery of Phoenixville, PA, and David and Audrey Thomson of Loveland, CO. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, one great grandchild; and four sisters: Bennie Hahn, Barbara Robbins, Julia Read More

LENORE S. DUDGEON Jan. 5, 1932 – April 3, 2016

Lenore S. Dudgeon died peacefully in her sleep on April 3, 2016 from complications secondary to cancer. 

Lenore was born January 5, 1932 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Maurice and Eleanor Schaller. After completing nursing school in Pennsylvania she was chosen to attend advanced training in anesthesia where she graduated as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.   

In 1957 she moved to Las Vegas, NV to pursue her career in anesthesia. While lounging at the pool of her apartment complex, she met Willard Dudgeon and the two began Read More

DIANE EAGAN March 27, 2016

Diane Eagan, 47, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Remember Me; Please Remember Me After I’m Gone, In A Way That Will Make You Smile, Just Remember That Though I Sleep, It Will Be Just For A While, Remember The Times I Made You Laugh, Remember The Times We Cried, If Ever I’ve Helped In Some Small Way, Remember I Always Tried, When The Sun Comes Up Tomorrow And You Find That I Am Gone, Remember I’ll Be With You Still, Look For Me In That Rising Sun, Wrap Yourself In Its Comfort, Look For Me I’ll Be There Smiling Down Upon You, Read More

JAMES WYLIE GORDON Jan. 21, 1934 – March 31, 2016

James Wylie Gordon, 82, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Brewster Place in Topeka, Kansas. He was born January 21, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Charles Wylie Gordon and Hazel May Williams.

After graduating from Topeka High School in 1952, James attended the University of Chicago before enlisting in the Navy from 1954-1957. Following his enlistment, he attended the University of Kansas, earning first a B.S. in Physics in 1961, and then a Ph.D. in Physics in 1968.

While attending the University of Kansas he met Teresa Antonia Read More

MARK ANTHONY MATHEWS April 1, 2016

Dr. Mark Anthony Mathews, 74, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2016 due to MS related causes.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mary Mathews and brother Karl Mathews. Dr. Mark Mathews was an avid outdoorsman and a hunter. He collected clocks and loved to use his hands to build many different projects. He was a passionate geophysicist committed to his work. He worked with nuclear energy and contributed to numerous scientific publications and professional journals. He was very proud of his involvement in the Glasnost.

He Read More

HOWARD OVERTON RICHERSON April 13, 1930 – March 21, 2016

Howard Overton Richerson, 85, a resident of Los Alamos, born April 13, 1930, passed away on Monday, March 21, 2016.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel (Scott) and Freida Richerson; siblings, Barbara Winters, Geraldine Wade and Nathaniel (Bud) Richerson; children, Rebecca Richerson-Farris and Jeffery Richerson. Howard grew up with an appreciation for the mountains and the landscape of the Southwest. He moved to Los Alamos where he met and married his wife Carmen. They are both graduates of Los Alamos High School. Read More

JAMES RICHARD EICHOR April 17, 1932 – March 27, 2016

James Richard Eichor, age 83, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Stonebrook Assisted Living in Denison, Texas. He loved his family, family vacations, taking pictures, airplanes, and automobiles. He was loved by everyone, and will be dearly missed by all.

Mr. Eichor was born on April 17, 1932 in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of Hugh and Opal Eichor. He married Alice Marie Spain in Casey, Iowa in Feb 1954. He enlisted in the Marines in 1952 and received his boot camp training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. As Read More

DOUGLAS WARD LIER April 25, 1931 – March 26, 2016

Capt. USNR-Retired Douglas Ward Lier, longtime Los Alamos resident, athlete and community volunteer died March 26th, 2016, from renal cancer.  He was nearly 85 years old.

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin April 25, 1931, he spent his summers waterskiing and winters ski jumping.  Doug graduated with a Physics degree from St. Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota.  Serving as Naval Nuclear Weapons Officer during the Korean War, after spending time at Sandia Naval Weapons Facility, he received an assignment in 1953 to Los Alamos where he met Read More

CLIFTON “SKIP” COLLINS Aug. 12, 1939 – March 23, 2016

Clifton “Skip” Collins, Jr. a resident of White Rock, NM passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, with his family by his side.

He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on August 12, 1939.  He was preceded in death by his father, Clifton M. Collins, Sr., mother Lois Casperson-Collins, and Uncles Robert and Ralph Casperson.

After proudly serving in the Army he returned to New Mexico and started his career as a Security Specialist for the Los Alamos National Laboratory and retired after twenty three years. He then worked three Read More

THOMAS SPICKERMANN Jan. 29, 1963 – March 11, 2016

The Celebration of Life for Thomas Spickermann will take place on Friday, April 1^st at the Hernandez Community Center from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please come reminisce and celebrate Tom’s life with his family, friends, and co-workers. 19418 US HWY 84, Hernandez. This is a potluck event.

Thomas, 53, died in a plane crash near Ohkay Owingeh airport on March 11, 2016. Also in the plane was Karen Young of Los Alamos. Karen had rented the Remos GX in Santa Fe. Tom was the co-pilot. No official word has yet been released on the cause of the crash.

Tom was employed Read More

MARK ANTHONY CHAVEZ Feb. 13, 1962 – March 6, 2016

Mark Anthony Chavez, born February 13, 1962 of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away from liver failure after a two year courageous fight. He went into the arms of the Lord peacefully on March 6, 2016.

Mark was a graduate of Los Alamos High School, class of 1980, and obtained a Certificate of Barbering in 2013 from Northern New Mexico Community College.

He was preceded in death by his oldest brother Mitchell Paul Chavez, older brother Nicholas Thomas Chavez, his oldest nephew Jason A. Smith, and brother in-law Joe E. Chavez.

He is survived by his Read More

JEWELL N. ROBERTS Dec. 8, 1918 – March 14, 2016

With the passing of Jewell Naomi Roberts in Albuquerque on March 14, 2016, the world lost a woman known among her friends and family for her indomitable will and incredible inner strength. 

Born on Dec. 8, 1918, in Van Town, Mo., to Homer L. and Cordie M. Montgomery, Jewell was the third of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents; her four brothers, Charles, Francis, Floyd and Ralph Montgomery; and one sister, Ruth Ketchum, who had also lived in Los Alamos. She is survived by her husband, Don Roberts of Albuquerque, and her Read More

CINDY JO (TECH) WEGNER May 15, 1962 – Jan. 29, 2016

Cindy Jo (Tech) Wegner of Copperas Cove, Texas passed away on January 29, 2016 at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service and inurnment will be held at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Columbarium in Los Alamos, New Mexico the end of May.

Cindy was born in Vermillion, South Dakota May 15, 1962. She was confirmed in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1976 and attended elementary and high school in Los Alamos, New Mexico graduating in 1980. She then went on to New Mexico State University to further her education.

Cindy was Read More

KAREN ANN YOUNG March 11, 2016

Funeral services for Karen Ann Young, 46, who died in the crash of a single engine aircraft she was flying, will be Friday, March 18, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. Burial will be in Gauje Pines Cemetery followed by a reception at the church’s Karen McLaughlin Parish Hall.

Young was a native of Los Alamos. She graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1987. She earned the B. S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and the Master’s and Ph.D Degrees in Materials Science, all from the University of California, Davis Campus.

She was employed Read More

NEAL ‘SCOTT’ MILLS Dec. 8, 1964 – March 14, 2016

Ouray Police Sergeant Neal “Scott” Mills, age 51, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on Monday, March 14, 2016.

Funeral services are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, March 22, 2016, a police motorcade from Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors, 155 Merchant Drive, Montrose, Colo., to Grace Community Church, 16731 Woodgate Road, Montrose beginning at 9:00 A.M.

A public funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. at Grace Community Church.  Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Grand View Cemetery, Read More

ALEX LEE SMITH March 10, 2015

Alex Lee Smith, 89, of Albuquerque, went to God on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

He is survived by his daughter, Sydney Smith; son, Stanley Smith; his grandsons, Ryan and Ashley; and five great-grandchildren, Dylan, Conner, Jackson, Landon and Savannah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline Smith in 2015.

Alex spent his career working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Later he resided in Cochiti Lake and Albuquerque. Alex was an avid wood carver as well as a hunter and fisherman.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00 Read More

LUIS G. SANCHEZ March 6, 2016

Luis G. Sanchez, 98, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2016 following a lengthy illness surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Leroy Sanchez and Luis H. Sanchez; parents, Abel and Francesquita Sanchez; sister, Orlecia Archuleta and Filomena Rivera; brother, Delfino Sanchez and grandson, Daniel Sanchez.

Luis grew up on a farm on Ojo Caliente, where he met his beautiful wife Rachel in Los Alamos during WWII. Together they raised seven children. He worked as a machinist and retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Read More

GERARD DUDLEY KENDALL Nov. 9, 1949 – March 5, 2016

Gerard Dudley Kendall, 66, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016, in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was born on November 9, 1949, in Houston, Texas, the son of William T. Kendall and Loretta M. DuBois. 

He is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter-in-law, a daughter and son-in-law, seven grandchildren, and four siblings.

Services will be held in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Houston, Texas. In Los Alamos, a Rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3700 Canyon Road on Friday, March 11, Read More

SUE GRAVES 1923 – March 2, 2016

Susan Finkbine Graves of Los Alamos passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday March 2nd at the age of 92. She died gracefully and quietly in the company of her husband and sons.

Known as Sue to her family and friends, she led a long and full life. Born in Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1923, Sue was the eldest daughter of Frank Mills Finkbine and Mae Reents Finkbine. Her earliest years were spent in Storm Lake along with her sister, Sally, and she was widely known in that town.

As a young woman she enjoyed roller- and ice- skating on the lake in winters, and she made it look so easy that Read More

JOHN E. DOUGHERTY, SR. Feb. 2, 1922 – Feb. 29, 2016

John E. Dougherty, Sr. died on February 29th, 2016 at the age of ninety four. John was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanette Pauline Cary and Malcolm Stuart Dougherty; wives, Elizabeth (Betty) Culpepper Dougherty and Jean Highfill Dougherty; brothers, Malcolm, Cary, Worden, and sister, Frances.

John was born on February 2, 1922, at the Linwood Plantation in Zachary, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University and went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan.

John and Betty married in 1942, came Read More

JAMES F. ANDREW Feb. 27, 2016

James (Jim) Fletcher Andrew passed away peacefully from heart failure at his home in Los Alamos on Saturday, February 27, 2016. 

He was born in a small town in northwest North Carolina in 1925, and would soon have been 91 years old. He grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and attended Guilford College in Greensboro for his undergraduate degree in Physics. He went on to earn an M.S. from North Carolina State (1951) and a Ph.D. (1962) from the University of Buffalo, both in Experimental Physics.

He met the love of his life, Marie Orvis while at Guilford College and Read More

KIMBERLY SMITH-NILSSON May 22, 1957 – Feb. 23, 2016

In a life filled with love and service, the Rev. Kimberly Smith-Nilsson always said her greatest joy was the family she created with her high school sweetheart, Alan Nilsson.

The couple married on July 27, 1980 at the United Church in Los Alamos, NM, where Kim would later be ordained into the United Church of Christ. She received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and taught special education for two years. After graduating from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, in 1984, she began a career in ministry. Read More

JOSEPH B. WEBER Feb. 23, 2016

Joseph B. Weber, 67, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Juanita Weber; sister, Deborah Scroggins and nephew, Trent Johnson.

Joseph lived his life in a reserved manner. He enjoyed time spent with his family and enjoyed outdoor activities such as, fishing, camping, riding his motorcycle and taking care of his vehicles. He will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Mr. Weber is survived by his daughter, Sherri Harner and husband Renvue; grandchildren, Triston and Logan Eng Read More

DONALD RAY GIBBONS Feb. 19, 2016

Donald Ray Gibbons, 86, of Los Alamos passed away on February 19, 2016. 

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He worked for Standard Oil Company, Nevada Test Site, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, LaRue Bleak Gibbons, parents, Jesse and Eleanor Gibbons, sister, Jessie Jane Gibbons-Brandenburg and brother, Norm and Lee Gibbons. 

He is survived by his children, LaDawn Bushnell and husband Cleve, Larry Brent Gibbons, Jesse Scott Gibbons, Dennis Read More

MARTHA ANN HOOD BROWN Feb. 13, 1922 – Feb. 22, 2016

Martha Ann Hood Brown, 94, beloved wife of the late Edward A. Brown, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 22, 2016, born in Knoxville, TN, on February 13, 1922 to Amy and Karl Kedzie Hood and was the middle of three brothers and two sisters.

An Alumnus of University of New Mexico where she received her BS in Education and Journalism. Married Edward A. Brown, three children, Phillip Brown, Amy Olcott, and the late Richard Rand Brown; four grandchildren, Shea LeBrun, Monty Brown, Brandon, Olcott, Kristen Olcott, five great-grandchildren, Read More

JUAN FRANCISCO BORREGO Feb.17, 2016

Juan Francisco Borrego, 95, a resident of Pojoaque, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, after a short illness. 

Juan was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Teresa Bustos, daughter Carmen Seitz, parents Juan C. Borrego and Lucia Montoya; brother Gilbert Borrego; sisters Trinidad Espinoza, Ascension Barth and Christina Valerio. Juan was born in Santa Cruz, New Mexico in 1920. He graduated from Holy Cross Catholic School (K-12) where he was Center on the basketball team. 

In 1942, Juan enlisted in the Army/Air Force and was stationed Read More

TERESA ANTONIA GORDON May 8, 1939 – Feb. 14, 2016

Teresa Antonia Gordon, 76, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Brewster Place. She was born May 8, 1939 in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Merritt and Teresa (Rieke) Ross.

Teresa graduated from Eudora High School and earned a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Kansas where she met her husband of 52 years, James Gordon. They resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1967 through 1974 and then in Los Alamos, New Mexico from 1974 until 1998. They later resided in Baldwin City, Kansas prior to moving to Topeka. Read More

BARBARA HONEY Nov. 11, 1933 – Feb. 14, 2016

Barbara Honey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Her children and family members were at her side. 

Barbara was born in Manhattan, KS on November 11, 1933. The youngest of three children of Orville and Lovey Hunt, she graduated from Manhattan High School in 1951 and then attended Kansas State University. During her first semester, she met her future husband Francis Honey, whose Engineering academic advisor happened to be Barbara’s father, Professor OD Hunt! Both were advised to take Algebra and the rest is history!

They were Read More