Obituaries

JEANNE CARPENTER HOUTZ Sept. 25, 2015

Jeanne Carpenter Houtz, 93, died quietly in her sleep on Friday, September 25, 2015, in Chandler, AZ.

She was married to Harry Edward Houtz, Jr. in 1949. They had been married for 50 years at the time of his death in 1999.

She is survived by her brother, James Carpenter and his wife, Cleo, of Alexandria, MN; four children: Marguerite, and her husband, Barry Cooper, of Tempe, AZ, their children, Christopher, Shawn, and Amy; Bryan, and his wife, Kelli of Gilbert, AZ, their children, Shaun, Jason, Nathan, Thomas, Ryan, Kylli, and Jeremiah; Stephen, of Minneapolis, Read More

DONALD RICHARD POMPEO Sept. 27, 2015

Donald Richard Pompeo, 75, a resident of Los Alamos passed away at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO on Sunday, September 27, 2015 following a brief illness.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Fay Pompeo; brother, Harry Pompeo, Jr.; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Lena Mae Barkley.

Don will be remembered as a happy man with an infectious smile and for the generosity of his time in helping others. He loved the game of golf and was an active member of the Northern New Mexico Senior Men’s Golf Association. He also enjoyed fishing, Read More

BERT THOMAS TIANO, SR. Aug. 26, 1916 – Sept. 12, 2015

On September 12, 2015, Bert Tiano passed away peacefully after a vibrant 99-year life. 

Bert was born on August 26, 1916, in Berwind, Colorado. He was the seventh of nine children born to Antonio Tiano and Elisa Della Valle. All through his life he was extremely close to his siblings. He was preceded in death by Joe, Rose, Mary, Tom, John, Beth, and Joyce; his sister, Virginia Flores, lives in California.

Bert moved to Santa Fe as a child, and completed high school there, although he spent much of his spare time at the pool hall where he would hustle Read More

ARTHUR JOSEPH JARAMILLO March 19, 1943 – Sept. 20, 2015

Arthur Joseph Jaramillo, 72, a longtime resident of Pojoaque Valley passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 20, 2015.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Drucilla Jaramillo; brother, Joseph Jaramillo, Jr., sister, Drucilla Sandoval. Arthur was born on March 19, 1943 in Los Angeles, California to Joseph and Drucilla Jaramillo. When he was four years old he moved with his family to New Mexico where he grew up in Los Alamos and where he graduated from high School in 1961.

After he graduated he joined the Iron Workers Read More

DAVID D. SMITH Oct. 9, 1957 – Sept. 18, 2015

David D. Smith, 57, of Los Alamos, NM passed away on September 18, 2015 at his home surrounded by the family that he so dearly loved and treasured.  His death was a result of a very hard battle fought against a sudden illness.

David was born in Oil City, PA on October 9, 1957 to Larry D. Smith and Yvonne E. Toy.  With a brief stop in Garland, TX, David’s family finally ended up in Los Alamos in the early 1960’s.  He said one of his earliest memories of Los Alamos was staying in Fuller Lodge and watching a wedding taking place in the great room below. Read More

DON BRANCATO Feb. 24, 1958 – Sept. 16, 2015

Don Brancato of Rio Rancho, NM passed away September 16, 2015.

He was born in Bayshore, NY on February 24, 1958. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1976 and from NMSU where is was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

While living in Las Vegas, NV he worked in the restaurant business until he retired and moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Don enjoyed sports, gardening and photography. He was famously known for his outstanding sense of humor.

He is survived by his mother Ellie Leavitt; brothers Bob and Tom; sister Laura; nieces Brenda and Liz; and his nephews Read More

PATRICK “PAT” JOSEPH BURNS Aug. 8, 1952 – Sept. 17, 2015

Patrick “Pat” Joseph Burns, songwriter, musician, historian/editor, teacher, father, grandfather, brother and friend to so many, passed away suddenly on the evening of September 17, 2015, in Santa Fe, NM.

He was born in Albuquerque, NM, on August 8, 1952, to Jessica and Raymond Burns. Pat spent his entire life in the Northern New Mexico area. He loved to soak at Ojo Caliente Natural Hot Springs, take pictures of spectacular sunsets and truly appreciated the beauty that surrounded him. His driving passion, however, was always his music. Read More

PATRICIA (PATTI JO) DAUGHARTY Feb. 1, 1957 – Sept. 4, 2015

Patti Jo Daugharty passed away peacefully on September 4, 2015 following a several year battle with kidney failure and related health issues.

Patti is survived by her husband, John Daugharty, and daughter, Brandi Engeman of Los Alamos; her granddaughter, Romilly; her mother, Jan Anders of Tucson, Arizona; her sister Jonna Adams of Pasco, Washington; her brother Mike Durkin, of Littleton, Colorado; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Patti was born in Richland, Washington and traveled extensively throughout Read More

MARGARET “PEGGY” EHRENKRANZ April 3, 1927 – September 19, 2015

Margaret “Peggy” Ehrenkranz, 88, former Los Alamos resident, passed away peacefully in Arlington, Virginia, on September 19, 2015. A graveside service will be held at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

Born on April 3, 1927, in Easton, Pennsylvania, Peggy was a graduate of Wilson College, wife of the late Theodore E. Ehrenkranz, and resident of Los Alamos from 1959-2007.

She is survived by her children, Douglas and his wife Sharon Ehrenkranz and Katherine and her husband Paul Armstrong, Read More

CLARICE COLE AMIES Oct. 7, 1927 – Sept. 17, 2015

Clarice Cole Amies, 88, died on Thursday, September 17, 2015, after a long struggle with multiple health complications and associated chronic pain. Born October 7, 1927 in Rochester, New York, Clarice was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Evelyn Youmans Cole and Mason Cole, and her sisters, Lois Hale, Shirley Truex, and Kathleen Broman. 

Clarice graduated from Monroe High School (Rochester, New York) in 1945, and went on to work at Western Union. She was married to Eugene Smith in 1947 in Rochester, New York, and they had one son, Gregory, Read More

WILLIAM A. HUDSON Sept. 11, 2015

William A. Hudson died peacefully at home on September 11, 2015.

Born New York City in 1925, Hudson joined the US Marine Corps in 1943. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for action on Iwo Jima. After WWII he received BS and MA degrees in health and physical education from New York University.

Hudson came to New Mexico in 1949 and taught in the Los Alamos Public Schools for 33 years as a physical educator, swimming and cross country coach. After he retired from teaching, he had a successful career as a financial consultant with Waddell Read More

KEVIN STEVEN DONAVAN CHAVEZ May 4, 1988 – Sept. 15, 2015

Kevin Steven Donavan Chavez, 27, a resident of El Rancho, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 after a long and courageous fight after a car accident in April 2012 that left him a quadriplegic and changed his life forever.

Kevin rehabbed intensely at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado for four months. Kevin had many bumps along the road, but continued his fight wanting to do great things. Kevin was born on May 4, 1988 to Felix and Gloria Chavez.

He was preceded in death by grandfathers, E. Nestor Lujan and Max L. Chavez Jr.; aunts, Read More

BARBARA STEBBINS CROLEY Aug. 11, 2015

Barbara Stebbins Croley, 87, died on August 11, 2015. Barbara had lived in Los Alamos since 1957 when her husband Dale C. Croley began working at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. 

Over the years, in addition to raising three daughters, Barbara was an avid gardener, artist, gourmet cook, and enjoyed taking care of small animals and wild birds. Barbara was active in the Los Alamos Lion’s Club and in the sight conservation programs of Lions International for 50 years, as well as being a substitute teacher, a member of the Los Alamos Geological Society, Read More

DOYLE WAYNE ROTTMAYER March 12, 1927 – Sept. 13, 2015

Doyle Wayne Rottmayer passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family and friends on Sunday, September 13, 2015.

He is survived by his children Kay Margaret of Mora, New Mexico; Dwain and Gay Farley of Los Alamos and Phil and Trish Guinn of Ponca City, Oklahoma, grandchildren Andy Joe Ruiz and Suzanne of El Rancho, NM Joe Benjamin Ruiz and Cynthia of Mesquite, Texas and Melissa and Travis Brown of Los Alamos, and great grandchildren Israel Ruiz, Joseph Ruiz, Maribelle Ruiz and Thalia Ruiz, JD Weiss, Savannah Brown, Emily Brown, Spencer Read More

MANUEL “MANNIE” MARTINEZ, JR. Nov. 8, 1939 – Sept.13, 2015

Manuel “Mannie” Martinez, Jr. of Espanola, NM passed away unexpectedly in Santa Fe, NM on September 13, 2015 at the age of 75.

Manuel is survived by his daughter Liz Martinez of Espanola, NM; granddaughter Kyanna Martinez of Espanola, NM; grandson Travis Martinez and his wife Britney Martinez of Espanola, NM; & close family friend Linda Collier of Los Alamos, NM.

He is preceded in death by his wife Pauline C. Martinez of Espanola, NM; mother Louisa Martinez of La Villita, NM; his sister Melina Trujillo of Chamita, NM; & brother Read More

EDDIE VAN HARRISON Jan. 7, 1936 – Sept. 3, 2015

Eddie Van Harrison, 79, of Los Alamos, passed away unexpectedly on September 3, 2015.

Eddie was born January 7, 1936, in Altus, Oklahoma, to Edwin Harrison and Verna Van Cleave Harrison. Verna passed away shortly after Eddie’s birth, after which Edwin moved to Gallup, NM.

He married Polly Gonzales of Gallup on Dec. 9, 1941. The family moved to Los Alamos in the spring of 1945 during the final months of the Manhattan Project.

As a teenager Eddie competed in local rodeos, where he rode bucking broncos. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1953, Read More

NINA LAURITSEN LUJAN Sept. 11, 2015

Nina Lauritsen Lujan, 71, was welcomed into Heaven Sept. 11, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Mads and Kira Lauritsen.

Nina was an honor graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School on Long Island (1961) and Wagner College (1965) where she received a degree in elementary education. During her college years she spent a semester in Bergenz, Austria. She graduated from the University of Hawaii (1968) with a master’s degree in special education.

Nina taught for 30 years mostly in Los Alamos, N.M. She was excellent teacher and was admired by coworkers, Read More

JACK FULLER Sept. 7, 2015

Jack Fuller, 83, has laid down his hiking poles for the last time.

Only a month ago, he and his wife Helen returned from a hiking trip to Iceland, which included soaking in the natural hot springs there. Multiple Myeloma unexpectedly cut short his vital life.

Jack was a man ahead of his time. A native of Palestine, Texas, he graduated high school at age 16, graduated college at 20 and got his PhD in physics by age 24. After graduation, he taught physics for two years at Baylor University, his alma mater.

It’s also where he met his future bride, Helen Langston. They took a chemistry Read More

MARY JEAN SKARRA Dec. 14, 1949 – Aug. 29, 2015

Mary Jean Skarra passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, August 29th after an arduous experience with brain cancer.

Mary was born on December 14th, 1949 and is survived by her daughter, Isis Skarra-Pergler-Stoffers and her husband, Joe Stoffers; her grandson, Greyson Stoffers; Her sisters Terese Skarra and Susan Skarra; her brothers, David Skarra, Paul Skarra, Mike Skarra, and Stuart Skarra; and her former husband Charles Pergler. She was preceded in death by her brother John Skarra and her parents Perry and Rozelle Skarra.

She Read More

RICHARD A. “DICK” KELLER Sept. 1, 2015

Richard A. “Dick” Keller, a Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory, died on September 1, 2015 in Los Alamos, NM. He was 80 years old. His death was related to his long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Dick lived with his family in Los Alamos since 1976 where he distinguished himself in the field of analytical chemistry, earning an international reputation. Among his contributions to science, the most notable was his pioneering of single molecule detection, a technique he and his collaborators applied to DNA sequencing as part Read More

JACKIE C. MARTINEZ Aug. 31, 2015

Jackie Martinez, age 66, our family’s strongest supporter and protector, passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 from complications of lung cancer.

Jackie was born in Los Alamos in 1949 and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1967. He continued to have a very close relationship with several of his high school buddies, the Los Alamos “Clan.”

Jackie had three beautiful daughters and a stepson that he was so very proud of and close to. In 1985 he married the love of his life and best friend, Jana. They had one of those very unique and special marriages one rarely sees. Read More

JEANNE COLLINS BARCK July 29, 2015

Jeanne Collins Barck of Espanola, New Mexico passed away in her home on July 29, 2015.

She was born in Cedartown, Georgia, in 1936, the daughter of Emily Sanders Collins and William Goodall Collins. After earning degrees from Duke University, she moved to New Mexico and taught at the New Mexico Girls’ School in Albuquerque, served as a school principal and worked in various education roles in schools in Los Lunas, Farmington, Anthony, and Pojoaque. She was also Assistant Director in the Title I Office of the New Mexico Department of Education, auditing programs Read More

STEPHEN ‘GREG’ GRAVENER May 3, 1971 – Aug. 20, 2015

Stephen “Greg” Gravener, born May 3, 1971, in Riverside, California passed away at his home in El Rito, New Mexico on August 20, 2015, at the age of 44.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sue Gravener, and grandparents Clarence and Betty Gravener, and Lloyd and Maudie Prescott.

Greg moved to Kingman, Arizona with his family in 1980, and graduated from Kingman High School in 1989. He attended Idaho State University, and served his country in the United States Navy.

Greg was employed at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Among his many talents and Read More

KENNETH ALFRED SIMI Aug. 21, 2015

Kenneth Alfred Simi, age 61, passed away on Aug. 21, 2015 following a sudden onset of aggressive metastatic cancer.

He was born in Los Alamos, NM. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1973. He attended NMSU. He spent many years in retail service. 

Kenneth loved the mountains, glad of growing up in the Jemez Mountains. He had a passion for all animals. He especially loved his two pug dogs named Reebok and M.C. Escher. He was grateful for time spent with him by family and friends. He was a kind and generous person, happy with life’s simple pleasures much preferring Read More

CATHY LORRAINE NOGAR Aug. 21, 2015

Cathy Lorraine Nogar, 91, a resident of La Mesilla, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015.

A lifelong dog aficionada, Cathy helped found the Los Alamos Dog Obedience Club and was well known in the dog breeding world, as much for her Hopi Kachina Dalmatians as for her work as a respected dog show judge. Cathy loved to be active, first in showing and jumping horses in her native Chicago, and later enjoying the community at East Park Pool and later at the Espanola Valley pool. Her sense of humor and joie de vivre were contagious, and her love of books and reading voracious. Read More

BILLY MAC HOGAN Oct. 1, 1942 – Aug. 15, 2015

It is with great sadness that the family of the late Billy Mac Hogan announces his passing. Bill, 72, died on Saturday, August 15, 2015 in Los Alamos, New Mexico after a short battle with glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor).

Bill was born October 1, 1942 in Montague County, Texas. Because of his father’s work, Bill moved to several different towns in Texas as a young boy. In 1950, Bill and his family moved to Lubbock, Texas. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1961 and attended Texas Tech University until 1967 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Read More

ADAM MICHAEL LANG Feb. 6, 1993 – July 22, 2015

Adam Michael Lang passed away on July 22, 2015 in Arcata, CA at the age of 22.

He was born in Albuquerque, NM on February 6th,1993. He moved to Los Alamos in August of 2000. He was an excellent student and graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2011. While attending high school, he participated in LAHS XC and track. Afterwards, he attended UC Davis for 2 ½ years majoring in engineering and then switched to Humboldt State University where he studied botany.

Adam was an avid runner, hiker, skier, gardener, and musician. He embraced nature. He loved the trails Read More

JOAN ALCOUFFE Aug. 16, 2015

Joan Alcouffe, 75, a resident of Los Alamos passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Davenport, and mother, Frances Davenport. She was educated at the University of Idaho from 1958-1962 and was an active member of the KKG sorority. She met her husband of 51 years, Raymond Alcouffe, in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1963 where she was an elementary school teacher. They married and had five children: Michael, John, Matthew, Douglas, and Cari. She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed traveling internationally, writing, and cooking.  Read More

RICHARD “RICK” JAMES SOFALY May 2, 1943 – Aug. 10, 2015

Richard “Rick” James Sofaly, 72, died on Monday, August 10, 2015 at his home in Killeen, Texas surrounded by his loving family. 

Rick was born May 2, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the only son of Dick and Gloria Sofaly. As a teenager, his family moved to southern California where he attended and graduated from San Diego State College and where he met and married his wife of fifty years, Karla Foight. Together, they had four children whom they raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico. 

Rick enjoyed a successful career in computer technology, Read More

DAVID (DAVE) DVORAK July 21, 2015

David (Dave) Dvorak, beloved husband, father, and brother passed away on July 21, 2015. 

He is survived by his wife Kate, daughter Lorrie, son Ry, and sister Mary Foglesong, and brothers James (Jim) Dvorak and Robert (Bob) Dvorak. He was preceded in death by his father James (Jim) Dvorak, mother Genevieve (Gen) Dvorak, and brother Richard (Rick) Dvorak.

Dave was a man who, in spite of his high level of education, could sit down with anyone and make them feel important. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him throughout the world.

A memorial service will Read More

DONNA MAE FISCHER WILSON Aug.15, 1934 – Aug. 7, 2015

Donna Mae Fischer Wilson died Aug. 7, 2015, just a week shy of her 81st birthday, in Cañon City, Colorado, from complications following a pelvic fracture.

On Aug.15, 1934, her grandmother, Anna Kronschnabel Fischer, delivered Donna into the world at West Spring Street in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was the sixth of nine children born to Frank and Anne Fischer.

Donna attended elementary school at St. Edwards’s at Mackville and St. Joseph’s in Appleton, Wisconsin, and graduated from Appleton High School West in 1952. Donna enlisted in the Read More

Rev. CASIMIRO ROCA-TOSCAS Aug. 4, 2015

Rev. Casimiro Roca-Toscas, S.F., former rector of el Santuario de Chimayo in Chimayo, N.M., died Aug. 4, 2015.

At the time, he was at home in the rectory at Holy Family Church, with his brothers Sons of the Holy Family and caretaker, who have been helping him for several years. He had celebrated his 97th birthday 11 days earlier.

After 33 active years living in Spain and Italy, Fr. Roca came to Chimayo in 1954. For 52 of the next 60 years, he worked at restoring the Shrine, greeting pilgrims and hearing their confessions, blessing their vehicles and religious Read More