MELVIN LEWIS PRUEITT Oct. 16, 1932 – Jan. 30, 2016
Melvin Lewis Prueitt, 83, died January 30, 2016 with his family at his side in Los Alamos New Mexico. He was born October 16, 1932 in Wickes, Arkansas to Ernest and Bessie Prueitt. He worked as a physicist for 31 years at the Los Alamos National Laboratory where he pioneered the field of computer graphics and worked in theoretical physics. His later years were spent developing clean energy and water technologies.
At an early age he knew he would be a scientist and eventually earned a Master’s Degree at the University of Arizona, followed by a doctorate at UNM. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
He served a two year mission in the New England states for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon completion of his mission he met his beautiful future wife Susi Hufschmid on a train in New York City. Soon after returning from his mission he was drafted into the Army. Nine months later he and Susi were married in the Idaho Falls (LDS) temple and thereafter began their family. He remained an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in the Los Alamos congregation.
He enjoyed a diverse and robust life that included hiking, skiing, tennis, running, church volunteer service, gardening, inventing, doing computer art, giving speeches, and writing.
As an author he was widely published in books and magazines, including the National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, and Popular Science on topics ranging from computer art to clean air technology and water desalination. He was the owner of 27 national and international patents. His computer art graced the covers of books and magazines, and was displayed at Grand Central Station, New York and the Smithsonian. An estimated 1 billion people have seen his artwork.
Above all he was a loving companion to his beloved wife and a constant example of good to his children and posterity.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Susi; three brothers Elgin T. Prueitt, Len Prueitt, Vernon K. Prueitt; six children and their spouses: Roger and Karen Prueitt, Cynthia Prueitt, Danny and Beth Prueitt, Dana and Linda Hansen, Stanley and
Shawnette Prueitt, Shawn Prueitt; 22 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Leon and Kelly Prueitt, his brothers.
Family will be receiving family and friends starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016 with Funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel 1967 18th St. Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544. The family of Melvin Lewis Prueitt has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505.662.2400 www.devargasfuneral.com.
