Obituaries

MARK WOLFSBERG Jan. 31, 2015

On January 31, the sun came out in upstate New York after a cold snowstorm; the sky was blue, the air was crisp, and Mark Wolfsberg passed away peacefully in his sleep in his home in Delmar. His entire family was home along with his mother, mother in law, and brother. He was a week short of his 53rd birthday.

During his four-year battle with cancer, Mark was an inspiration with his honest and straightforward understanding of his condition, always putting a positive face on the situation, never wallowing in self pity, and leading a full life until very recently. He was a good Read More

REBECCA ELIZABETH RICHERSON-FARRIS March 25, 1964 – Jan. 26, 2015

Rebecca Elizabeth Richerson-Farris, 50, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015. She was preceded in death by brother, Jeffery, whom she adored.

Rebecca was born on March 25, 1964 to Howard and Carmen Richerson, she is the youngest of four children. She devoted her life to rescuing wolves and owned several throughout the years. She loved and cared for all animals and gave a home to any animal in need of one. Rebecca was always available to assist anyone, day or night. She successfully owned and operated her Read More

JEANETTE EDESKUTY Jan. 26, 2015

Jeanette Edeskuty, 89, a resident of Los Alamos since 1950, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Edeskuty, Sr.; parents, Alfred and Adelia Bergren and brother, Donald Bergren. Jeanette loved to travel and went all over the world with her beloved husband, Fred. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was a passionate home maker and excellent cook. She was an active member of the church and enjoyed skiing all the way into her 70’s. She also enjoyed music and loved going to the opera. Read More

THOMAS JOSEPH HUMPHREY Aug. 8, 1944 – Jan. 25, 2015

Thomas Joseph Humphrey died January 25, 2015 at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility in Statesboro, Ga. after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born Aug. 8, 1944 to the late Walter Burton Humphrey and Margaret Ellis Humphrey. Before moving to Statesboro in 1997, he lived most of his life in Los Alamos, N.M. where he worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory and in Fairbanks, Alaska where he retired as data processing manager for Golden Valley Electric Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Craig Read More

EARL A. MEYER Aug. 12, 1924 – Dec. 31, 2014

Earl A. Meyer, 90, passed away in his bed in the early morning of December 31st, 2014 in his home in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He is greatly missed.

We will remember this quietly impressive, deeply honorable and kind man. He was happiest being with his wife and family, solving scientific problems, fishing on nearby lakes, and listening to big band music, especially with the Farish family, close friends. His children will remember how he patiently encouraged us on our schoolwork, athletics, and how, remarkably, in his late forties, even joined us in Tae Kwon Read More

WILLIAM “BILL” CHARLES ROBBINS Dec. 1, 1923 – Jan. 23, 2015

William “Bill” Charles Robbins died January 23, 2015. He was born December 1, 1923.

Bill loyally served his Country, lovingly served his family and faithfully served his God. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Robbins. He is survived by three children; Cathy Stallings; Wes Robbins; Ellen West.

Memorial service to be held at Christian Church, Los Alamos, NM at 1:00pm Thursday January 29, 2015. Read More

JOHN EVANS HILL Feb. 21, 1945 – Jan. 12, 2015

John Evans Hill, 69, resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM after suffering from heart failure. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marian J. Whitley and the father who raised him, Edward F. Whitley, as well as his biological father, John T. Hill, a decorated deceased World War II veteran who was killed in the war before John was born. He was survived by his wife of 46 years, Luella A. Hill; daughter, Stephanie A. Hill; brother, Richard F. Whitley; granddaughter, Danielle Read More

LAURA ELIZABETH MARQUARDT ROACH June 7, 1920 – Jan. 1, 2015

Former Los Alamos resident, Laura Elizabeth Marquardt Roach was born June 7, 1920 in Two Rivers, Wis., and completed her baptismal journey on January 1, 2015 at Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces, NM at age 94.

The fourth of seven children, her parents, Gusta Krueger Marquardt and Leonard Marquardt, left their native country of Germany in the early 1900s to find a better life in America. German was spoken at home, and Laura learned English as a “second” language when she started school. Outdoor sports were her favorite childhood pastime. Read More

VIRGINIA LEE MARR Sept. 8, 1918 – Jan. 17, 2015

Virginia passed away peacefully on January 17, 2015 at the age of 96 while surrounded by her loving family. She lived a long and fulfilling life.

Born on a dry farm in South Eastern Wyoming on September 8, 1918. She graduated from Guernsey High School in Wyoming in 1936. She moved to work in Long Beach, California for Lockheed Aircraft Company.

She married the love of her life Robert in Las Vegas, Nevada in March 1942. In February 1957 Robert and Virginia moved to Los Alamos and lived in the Chapel apartments. Robert took a job with the Los Alamos National Read More

JENNIFER (PRIMAK) WEISS April 23, 1972 – Jan. 8, 2015

Jennifer (Primak) Weiss, a devoted mother of two and resident of Boulder, Colo., passed away on January 8th, 2015, at the age of 42. Jenny is survived by her parents, Stan and Joan Primak, sisters Chelsea Primak and Marybeth Germinario, and her husband, Scott and beloved children Tanner Dylan and Samantha Bari Weiss.

Jenny was born in Ft. Collins, Colo., on April 23, 1972. Having spent time pursuing her degree at the University of New Mexico and University of New Hampshire, Jenny graduated from Keene State University with a Bachelor’s Read More

DOLORES “DOLLY” EVERETT Jan. 7, 2015

Dolores “Dolly” Everett, widow of C.J. Everett, was a resident of Los Alamos since 1947. She was well-known for her many volunteer efforts in the town throughout her life. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, headed the Candy Striper program at LAMC, was instrumental in establishing Casa Mesita, as well as Sombrillo Nursing Home. In her later years she collected lunch money at the Senior Center.

A transplant from Wisconsin, Dolly grew to love the Southwest, and Los Alamos became her true home. Here, when she wasn’t doing volunteer work, she Read More

ROBERTA DELORES MACINNES Dec. 20, 2014

Roberta Delores MacInnes, age 64, a resident of Los Alamos since 1997, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the St. Vincent’s Regional Medical Center from a brief illness. She was surrounded in death by her loving family.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Geneva Hinkson; her brother, Robert Hinkson, Jr. and her sister, Bobbie Hinkson. Roberta is survived by her beloved husband of 17 years, Mark A. MacInnes, three adopted children, Marie, Renee, and Louis MacInnes, many of their biological relatives (Vialpando) from the Española Read More

VIRGINIA “GINGER” RICHINS Jan. 6, 2015

Virginia “Ginger” Richins, 84, a resident of Duncan Arizona, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Ward Richins; son, Frank Edwards; brother, Rowan Willis; parents, Frank and Frances Willis. Ginger loved horse related activities and was active in the Cowbells club for most of her life. She enjoyed her kids and grandchildren in their many activities. Ginger was known for loving a good game of cards. Those who knew her became friends quickly and loved her sense of humor and kindness. Read More

HOWARD F. GUTHRIE Aug. 17, 1959 – Nov. 14, 2014

Howard F. Guthrie, age 55, of Albuquerque, NM, flew straight up to heaven on November 14, 2014, following a tragic plane crash in the San Juan National Forest, near Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Howard was born August 17, 1959, in Santa Fe, NM. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1978 and later served in the U.S. Navy. He lived a life full of adventure and never bypassed an opportunity to make a memory, making many life-long friends along the way. After exploring the country, he settled his family in Albuquerque and built his business as an auto mechanic. Read More

DONALD J. LISKA Nov. 3, 1929 – Dec. 26, 2014

Don Liska, 85, died at home after a brief illness with Alice, his wife of 59 years, by his side.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Don received his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. It was there that he met Alice. Don and Alice were avid members of the UofW Hoofers, an outdoor enthusiast club where they discovered their love of climbing and the outdoors. Don was drafted into the US Army immediately upon his graduation and served for 2 years.

Don began his career as an Engineer in Culver City, CA at Read More

MARTHA JEAN FERRELL Sept. 2, 1935 – Dec. 29, 2014

Martha Jean Ferrell, 79, died Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Four Season’s Specialty Care Unit at Aspen Ridge Retirement Community in Los Alamos, NM. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Jean died peacefully in her sleep.

She is survived by her son, William and wife Barbara Ferrell of Los Alamos; one sister, JoAnna Richardson of Boulder, Colorado; and one brother Harold and wife Esther of Hays, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert B. Ferrell, her parents Lucille and John Perrett, and brother-in-law Steve Richardson. Read More

JOYCE KATHRYN LANDRY BLANCO Dec. 19, 2014

Joyce Kathryn Landry Blanco passed away December 19, 2014. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 29, 2 o’clock at the White Rock Baptist Church.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Charles Blanco; parents Tony and Marie Landry; and brothers Harvey and Allen Landry. She is survived by her sister, Irene Collins; daughter Linda and husband Roger Huchton; son Clark and wife Judy; son Tom and wife Colleen; grandchildren Kristin and husband John Hofferberth; Marie Huchton; and James Blanco; and great-grandchildren Read More

PATRICK ALAN MINOR July 23, 1953 – Nov. 5, 2014

Patrick Alan Minor died November 5th, 2014 at Gentiva  Hospice in Albuquerque, NM. Pat, a Christian, was loved and adored by his family and friends and will be sorely missed.

Pat was born July 23, 1953, at Keesler AFB, near Biloxi, Mississippi, to Robb and Shirlee McDonald Minor. His pre-school years were spent in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and Manhattan, Kansas. In D’Iberville, he enjoyed chasing cows and hiding under the house which was built on concrete blocks – much to his Mother’s consternation. In Manhattan, Read More

ELMO CDE BACA Dec. 20, 2014

Longtime Los Alamos resident, Elmo Cde Baca passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, in his home. He was 88 years old.

He was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico, graduating with a degree in Biology from Highlands University. He served in the US Navy during WWII as a medical corpsman.

Elmo began his life on the “hill” as a Zia company painter. Throughout his life he has owned a variety of successful Los Alamos businesses and has developed commercial property throughout the downtown area. He worked his whole life to try to make the county codes more development friendly. Read More

JIMMIE ALLEN BROTHERS Nov. 30, 2014

Jimmie Allen Brothers, 62, a resident of Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos, passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness on Sunday, November 30, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeeRoy and Mary Dorothy Skelton-Brothers and sisters, Mary Schroder and Debbie Brothers.

When he was in the military, he worked on the Pershing Missle and radar repair and control. Jimmie also had 32 years in the National Park Service. Jimmie marred Monica in Great Bend, KS on February 9, 1976. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, Austin.

Mr. Read More

TERESA BACA SMITH Dec. 4, 2014

Teresa Baca Smith (nee Salazar), longtime resident of Los Alamos, previously of Santa Fe, passed away on December 4, 2014. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Smith; parents, Odila and Joaquin Salazar; brothers Jack, Robert, Tom and Rudy Salazar; and sisters Lydia Silveria and Ofelia Apodaca.

She is survived by her son, Mark Baca of Platteville, Wisconsin; daughters Diana Baca of Denver, Colorado and Paula Baca of Ashland, Oregon; granddaughter Arianna Brooks of Ashland, Oregon; sister Clara (Joe) Briones of Santa Fe; brother Dennis (Julia) Read More

BRET E. KNAPP Aug. 21, 1958 – Nov. 18, 2014

Bret Knapp, 56, a dedicated family man with a dry wit and wry welcoming smile, died recently after a short but valiant battle with cancer. Knapp is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and two sons, Cameron and Trevor. He is also survived by two brothers and a sister.

Born and raised in Livermore, CA he was the son of Dr. Myron William Knapp and Dorris Riggs Knapp. Myron was the first test director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory conducting nuclear tests in the atolls of the South Pacific, as well as the Nevada Test Site. Dorris was passionate Read More

ELIZABETH “LIZ” LISA QUINTANA Nov. 29, 2014

Elizabeth “Liz” Lisa Quintana, 37, a resident of Santa Cruz passed away from an automobile accident on Saturday, November 29, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her father, Heremenjildo Quintana; paternal grandmother, Maria Reyes, paternal grandfather, Francisco Quintana, maternal grandparents, Ramon Leyba and Dorothy Montoya.

Liz was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and cousin. Her passion was bowling and she could sit and watch movies, a couple of her favorites were Hunger Games, Hercules, among many others. Read More

ANNABELLE HONNELL Dec. 26, 1929 – Dec. 1, 2014

Annabelle Honnell, 84, beloved wife and mother and a forty six-year resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2014.

She was born December 26, 1929 in Huntington, W.V. where she attended St. Joseph High School and graduated from Marshall College. In the course of her career, she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, General Electric, where she met her future husband Richard and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. She loved the outdoors of New Mexico, and enjoyed hiking, playing bridge, woodworking, painting, going on family camping Read More

LEONA MEDINA TIEDE Nov. 29, 2014

Leona Medina Tiede, 73, a resident of Chimayo, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 29, 2014 surrounded by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Medina and Julia Roybal Medina; in-laws, Lawrence Tiede and Virginia Stobing Tiede; three brothers, Emilio, Michael, and Leonard Medina; brother-in-law, David Dominguez; niece, Carol Trujillo Gomez.

Leona was born in Jerome, Arizona, a copper-mining town, and grew up in Chimayo next to El Santuario de Chimayo. As the eldest of eleven children she spent her youth helping her mother Read More

Patricia Ann Bass Barr Sept. 17, 1955 – Nov. 21, 2014

Patricia Ann Bass Barr passed away on Nov. 21, 2014. She was 59 and had been struggling with liver disease. Patricia was born in Columbia, Tenn. on Sept. 17, 1955 to Charles and Wilma Bass.

She attended school in Columbia, TN and graduated high school 1973.  She attended David Lipscomb College and graduated with a degree in accounting in 1977. Patricia met and married Stuart Bowling in 1983 and moved west to Los Alamos, N.M.  There she found employment with Los Alamos County where she worked until her retirement in 2009.

She and Stuart Read More

Gavin Vaughan March 14, 1931 – Nov. 14, 2014

Gavin Vaughan, of Alvin, Texas, passed away at age 83, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014. Gavin dedicated his life to serving the Lord and had a great love for all people.

Gavin is survived by: three  children – Cullene Hobbs and husband Larry; Gavin Vaughan II and wife Shelby; and Debbe Vaughan; five grandchildren – Kevin Hobbs and wife Tara; Travis Hobbs and wife Shandar; Jena Polly and husband Scott; Cody Jones and wife Lynsey; Chelsae Haines and husband Matt; and five great-grand children – Keller Hobbs, Rylyn Hobbs, Reagan Haines, Kaiden Polly and Kennedy Read More

WALTON CHAPMAN Oct. 20, 1927 – Nov. 16, 2014

Walton Chapman, 87, went home to the Lord on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Oct. 20, 1927 to George Walton Chapman and Helen Brandt Chapman, Walt was married to Joan Wallace, now deceased, for 54 years.  

Walt graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Psychology. He served in the USMC during WWII. He started Walton Chapman Builders Company in Santa Fe in 1966 developing some of the finest home and office communities in Santa Fe. During his time in Santa Fe, Walt was active in the community through philanthropy Read More

JEAN MARIE PARKER Dec. 11, 1922 – Oct. 25, 2014

Mrs. Jean Marie Parker (née Norman), a 52 year resident of Marietta, Georgia, died peacefully in Kennesaw, Georgia, on October 25, 2014, at the age of 91. Jean always considered her life a “joyful journey”.

Jean was born on December 11, 1922, in Hitterdal, Minnesota, to Clara Charlotte Sanders and Henning Rogatious Norman. She grew up on their farm in Hawley, Minnesota, with her three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Hawley High School in 1940, and moved to Grant, Nebraska, to help with her Aunt Annie and Uncle Merle’s restaurant, subsequently Read More

MARTHA LOU DAVIS Aug. 20, 1953 – Oct. 8, 2014

Martha Lou Davis was a relative newcomer to Los Alamos, but quickly adapted her gardening style to the Southwest, practicing xeriscaping and permaculture. On a small number of fruit trees in her backyard she grafted over 100 fruit varieties including apples, pears, and apricots. It’s been said that her yard is one of the most fertile parts of Los Alamos.

Martha was born on August 20, 1953 in Dallas, OR to Crystalle and Paul Davis. The family moved to Corvallis, OR where she completed high school. After a year at Earlham College, she returned to the University Read More

FAYE HAND Feb. 16, 1932 – Oct. 3, 2014

Fay Hand was an amazing woman. She loved cooking large fancy holiday dinners, shopping, time with her family, gardening, kitty-cats, and (surprisingly) the Phoenix Suns basketball team. For those of us that knew her, it is with fond memories that we look back on her life. For those of you that didn’t know her quite as well, this is the story of her life. 

Wanda Fay Clark was born on February 16, 1932. She grew up with two sisters, Iris and Patsy. Their young lives were filled with wild adventures that she loved to tell stories about. She met her husband, Read More