Obituaries

HERMAN RICHARD MALTRUD Nov. 7, 1931 – July 23, 2021

Herman Richard Maltrud, long-time Los Alamos resident, died on Friday, July 23, 2021. He passed away surrounded by loving family while in hospice care in Los Alamos shortly after suffering a stroke. 

Affectionately known as “Herm”, and more commonly known as Richard or Dick, he grew up in small-town Ada, Minnesota. The eldest of four children, Herm attended St. Olaf College, then obtained a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Washington.

Herm met his wife of 63 years, Nancy Steel from Baltimore, Md., in Bandelier National Monument Read More

JUDITH DAWN DEHAVEN Feb. 26, 1952 – Aug. 06, 2021

Judith Dawn DeHaven, the daughter of the late John W. and Helen Gibson Enders, was born February 26, 1952, in Los Alamos, NM.

On October 22, 1970, in Los Alamos, NM, she was united in marriage to Harold DeHaven. He preceded her in death on September 16, 2019.

She was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM. After many years as an Executive Assistant, she retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Mrs. DeHaven died Friday, August 6, 2021, in Bernie, MO, at the age of 69 years, 5 months and 11 days.

Survivors include 2 sons, Michael DeHaven Read More

GRACE L. OGDEN July 9, 1920 – July 25, 2021

The United Church held a small family service Aug. 2 at Aspen Ridge Lodge to honor the memory of Grace L. Ogden, a small-town girl from a frontier town who grew up to be a loving and devoted family member—and something of a world traveler. 

Grace’s only child, Charmian Ogden Schaller, spoke at her funeral. Charmian’s husband, Stuart Schaller; both of Grace’s grandchildren (Edward Schaller and Eric Schaller); and Edward’s wife Cathy and all four of their children (Grace’s great-grandchildren) attended the service. 

The Rev. David Elton from the Read More

FRANCISCO JAVIER GARCIA Sept. 3, 1933 – July 30, 2021

Francisco (Frank) Javier Garcia passed away in Albuquerque, NM on July 30, 2021.

Frank was born in Fort Collins, Colorado on September 3, 1933.

Frank is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ramona, sons, Frank (Debra), Phil, daughter Michelle, daughter-in-law Carolyn, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Bert who passed in 2020.

A viewing (6:00-7:00 pm) and Rosary (7:00 pm) will be held at Strong Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 on Monday, August 9, 2021.

A mass will be held Read More

JOHN RICHARD IRELAND June 25, 1951 – July 30, 2021

John Richard Ireland was born on June 25, 1951 in Hereford, TX and passed away on July 30, 2021. 

As a child he moved to Moriarty, New Mexico. In Moriarty he met his wife of 51 years, Judy. After attending New Mexico State University and University of California Berkeley, John relocated to Los Alamos, New Mexico, with Judy and their children Travis and Shannon. The family later welcomed daughter Jamie.

John had a distinguished 35-year career as a nuclear engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he held multiple positions and worked on many Read More

TIMOTHY DAVID VAN HECKE July 25, 2021

Timothy David Van Hecke passed away peacefully, in his sleep on July 25th. He had suffered a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was 70 years old.

Tim was born in Santa Fe to James F. Van Hecke and Maxine Parker Van Hecke.

He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1969. He participated in sports from Little League through college.

He attended Eastern New Mexico University, obtaining a B.S. degree with a double major in Journalism and Physical Education. He also obtained a M.S. in Secondary Education to become a teacher and coach.  He was on the ENMU baseball Read More

MARJORIE SHEARMAN BECK Sept. 15, 1924 – July 30, 2021

Marjorie Shearman Beck died at age 96 in San Diego, California Friday, July 30. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

She was born Sept. 15, 1924 in Chicago, Ill. The daughter of Thomas Shearman and Floria Inglis (Shearman). She had three brothers and a sister.

She graduated cum laude with a history degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Marjorie married Robert H. Beck, a professional airline pilot, who was later publisher and owner of the “Roswell Daily Record” in Roswell, New Mexico.

For several years Marjorie Beck Read More

VIRGINIA HOY SAYRE 1923 – July 2, 2021

Virginia Hoy Sayre died peacefully July 2, 2021 in Rio Rancho. NM. She was surrounded by family at the time of her death.

She and her late husband, Edward Sayre, had lived in Los Alamos since 1979 and in Rio Rancho since 2018.

Virginia was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1923. She graduated from Ann Arbor High School and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Cincinnati.

She is survived by her daughter Sabrina and grandchildren Taye and Lola, all of San Francisco, and son Steven of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Virginia served as a nurse in Venezuela with Standard Oil, and as a Read More

MELISSA RUTH WILKINSON Aug. 4, 1973 – Aug. 1, 2021

Melissa Ruth Wilkinson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on August 1, 2021.

Melissa was born in Tacoma, Washington, on August 4, 1973, to Ed Ager and Carolyn Parker. A current resident of Baker City, Oregon, Melissa is survived by her husband, Rob, children Drew, Erin, Tatiana, Zack, and Jordan, parents Ed (Debra) Carolyn (Bill) siblings, Betty (Gary), Teresa (Jeff), Darwin, Dewayne, Brian (Crystal), & Jack. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

On August 7, 2021, at 1:00 PM, there Read More

MATTHEW LEE WHITAKER Nov. 2, 1978 – July 23, 2021

Matthew Lee Whitaker passed away unexpectedly July 23, 2021, in Los Alamos, NM.

Matthew was born Nov. 2, 1978, in Los Alamos, NM and was a graduate of Los Alamos High School, class of 1997. After high school he enrolled in some college classes and took part in a technician training program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Later, he received certification as a Network Wiring Installer and worked as a PBX technician in network communications. He was a lifelong resident of Los Alamos.

He is survived by his parents, Barbara and Rodney Whitaker; sister Read More

DANIEL VON HELM Sept. 1, 1970 – July 2, 2021

September 1, 1970 Santa Fe, New Mexico – July 2, 2021 Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Von was given the gift of life and now at 50 years old he has given it back. This is hard. He passed away quietly at home with his wife and doggies at his side due to cardiac arrest resulting from diabetes. 

Von grew up in Los Alamos and moved with his family to San Diego when he was a young teenager. He was animal loving, fix-anything, talk-your-ear-off for 10 hours straight (if you’d let him), incredibly all-around amazing man in every way.

He took great pride in owning every automotive Read More

ABBE JUNE NEAL Aug. 20, 1956 – July 14, 2021

Abbe June Neal of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away unexpectedly at her home July 14 at the age of 64.

Abbe was born in Boone, North Carolina August 20, 1956 to Shirley Hartley and Grady Lionell Lewis. She attended classes at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and worked as a Librarian until dedicating herself to raising her two children.

She had a vibrant and fun personality and had a passion for traveling, reading, and creating art. She was very loved and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. The family would like to Read More

CHARLES DOUGLAS MILLER Dec. 30, 1946 – July 18, 2021

Charles Douglas Miller was born Dec. 30, 1946 in Dallas, Texas and passed away suddenly July 18, 2021 while on vacation with his family in Pagosa, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Alma Miller and his son-in-law Anthony Ortega.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jan Fite Miller; their children: Melissa Fox and her husband Andy, Julie Keeler and her husband Tony, Sara Miller and her husband Yash Chathampally, Allison Ortega, and Christine Minshew and her husband Waylon; grandchildren: Nolan Fox, Reanne Keeler, Read More

JO ANN MONTOYA Oct. 25, 1942 – June 24, 2021

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.

Jo Ann was born in McKeesport, PA to Vera and John Mench and she remained a devoted daughter to her parents all the days of their lives. Growing up in Los Alamos under the careful watch of her parents, she and her sister Diane (Dee Dee Cuthberson) recall a very blessed life full of so much color.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents William and Dora Lynn, her parents John and Vera Lynn Mench, and her grandson Zachary Montoya.

A 1960 graduate of Los Alamos High School, Jo Ann attended the Pennsylvania Read More

THOMAS ELDON O’HARE Dec. 8, 1933 – June 15, 2021

EVERY MIND HAS A UNIQUE JOURNEY

Thomas Eldon O’Hare began his life in Milwaukee, WI and was the second of five children born to Evelyn Frances Luger and John Augustus O’Hare. After his family lived in St. Paul, Minnesota for a short period, they moved to Gallup, NM, where Tom traded his school knickers for the Levi’s that were common in the southwest in 1943.

Beginning with a year of study in a California seminary, he worked at Dunn Merchantile in Fort Defiance, AZ, learned to rebuild auto/motorcycle engines while finishing his early education in Waterflow, Read More

MAHAVIR JAIN December 1939 – June, 18 2021

Mahavir Jain, 81, of Los Alamos, NM passed away after complications from a heart attack on June 18, 2021.

He was born to Raj Bahadur Jaiswal and Anguri Devi in December 1939 in Barther, India.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Agra College in 1957 and his master’s degree in physics from the University of Delhi in 1959, he emigrated to the United States in 1964 to pursue his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Maryland.

It was there he met and married JoAnn Dorson in Beltsville, MD in 1966. After finishing his Ph.D. in 1969, Mahavir performed research Read More

Rev. Floyde Edgar Smith Jr. Feb. 10,1953 – July 9, 2021

A GOOD MAN, HUSBAND AND FATHER!

Sunrise February 10,1953 – Sunset July 9, 2021

Rev. Floyde Edgar Smith Jr. affectionately known as “Poppey” was born February 10, 1954 in Chicago, IL.

Floyde was the second child born to the union of Floyde Smith Sr. and Dorothy Dooley who both preceded him in death. Floyde had one Brother William Dooley who also preceded him in death, god sisters Vivian McCade and Tiffany McCoy, and sister-in-laws: Jessie Lee Peterson, Mary Mason, and Patricia Hopkins and brothers-in-laws: Eugene Peterson, Raymond Peterson, Read More

EDYTH E. WILSON May 31, 1930 – July 8, 2021

Edyth E. Wilson, age 91, born in 1930 in the front bedroom of a two-bedroom house on a dirt road in El Paso. Edyth Emma Liles began life in a way that created the determination that would be the hallmark of her life. A child of a pioneer family that had ranched the Magdalena and Socorro ranges before the depression, she and her siblings schooled and worked through the war years.

Edyth developed independence as her father worked as a pipe fitter and her mother raised the neighborhood’s children while other parents worked in factories, for the railroad or at the Read More

PAULA ROYBAL SANCHEZ Jan. 10, 1954 – July 7, 2021

Paula Roybal Sánchez (67) passed away peacefully in her home with her husband and sons by her side on July 7, 2021.

Paula was born on January 10, 1954 and was the eldest daughter of Pablo & Ruby Roybal. She grew up on the Rancho Las Lagunas dairy farm in Nambé, NM where she returned after attending New Mexico State University to live and raise her family.

Paula is survived by her Husband Gary; Sons: Andrés (Stephanie) and Diego (Vianey); Granddaughters: Devon, Eva & Liana; Siblings: Roberto, Ricardo (Judy), Santiago, Alfredo (Orlinda), Anna Read More

LEE FRANCIS BROWN Feb. 23, 1929 – June 30, 2021

Dr. Lee Francis Brown, 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, engineer, mathematician, researcher, teacher, skier, lover of Shakespeare, musician, climber, mountaineer, sailor, veteran, photographer, mechanic, poet, essayist, Notre Dame fan, world traveler, and reader, passed away peacefully at home in Albuquerque on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Lee was born Saturday, February 23, 1929 in Elmhurst, Illinois, to Walter and Hazel (Dutton) Brown, the middle of three brothers. He studied chemical engineering, earning a Bachelor’s from Read More

JANET THOMASON TALLMAN May 7, 1932 – June 25, 2021

Janet Thomason Tallman, long term resident of Los Alamos, passed away at home on Friday, June 25, 2021 with family by her side, after a brief hospitalization subsequent to stroke.

Janet was born May 7, 1932, in Pomona, CA, to Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Dale and Vesta Ames Thomason, and was subsequently adopted at age 3 by Mrs. Dorothy Ames Thomason after Janet and her sister, Joan, lost their mother to cancer.

As a child, Janet lived in the small, Southern California town of San Dimas, where her father was a general practitioner. Citrus agriculture was in full Read More

RICHARD H. (DICK) ROCHESTER Jan. 25, 1931 – June 20, 2021

Devoted husband and proud father.

Predeceased by one son.

Survived by his wife of 60 years, four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Forever in Our Hearts.

In September, when life allows, the family will celebrate the life of this remarkable man with a gathering at his beloved Rancho Nambe.

Announcement forthcoming.

Richard H. (Dick) Rochester with his faithful companions. Courtesy photo Read More

GWENDOLYN ROBERTA MAUST ORR Oct. 1, 1932 – June 16, 2021

Gwendolyn Roberta Maust Orr, age 88, passed away on June 16, 2021, in Parker, Colorado. 

Gwen, a long-term resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1932. She was a Graduate from University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

She is survived by her five children; David, Bruce, Alison, Kristofer, and Keith, her five grandchildren; Elaina, Christina, Samantha, Lance and Andrew, two great grandchildren; Ella and Connor and her beloved husband Read More

GEORGE PERRAULT Feb. 18, 1936 – June 18, 2021

George Perrault passed away on June 18, 2021.

George was born in Denver, Colorado, February 18, 1936. George and his Family moved to Los Alamos in 1969 where George started a job with Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Weights and Measures Department.

After his retirement from the laboratory, he enjoyed fishing and had many hobbies.

George is survived by his wife Gail and their children, Gina Perrault, Keddy and husband Jeff, Geri Perrault, Gary Perrault and many grandchildren.

There is no service planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the Read More

ROBERT EARL HOOKER JR. July 16, 1930 – June 8, 2021

Robert Earl Hooker, Jr., age 90, loving, supportive husband and father, born July 16, 1930, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Known to most as Bob, he served one-year active duty in the Army and seven years in the National Guard. He attended college in Troy, NY and after graduating he and his family relocated to Albuquerque, NM where he was offered a position at Sandia National Laboratories.

After his work at Sandia, he obtained work at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he stayed until he retired in 1995.

In Bob’s younger years, his passion being Read More

FORREST WILLIAM BRINKLEY JR. June 25, 1930 – June 12, 2021

Forrest William Brinkley Jr., age 90, passed peacefully at home June 12, 2021. 

Forrest was surrounded by the love of his wife, Anne Brinkley in his passing.

Also surviving are his two sons, Patrick “Rick” (Freda) Brinkley of San Mateo, California, Timothy Brinkley of San Diego, California and two granddaughters, Erika (Jon) Lewis of Danville, California and Miranda Brinkley of San Mateo, California. Also mourning his loss are caregivers Mike and Bea.  

Forrest was born in Memphis, Tennessee June 25, 1930 to Forrest William Sr. and Read More

COL. HOUSTON T. ‘TERRY’ HAWKINS, Ret. United States Air Force (USAF)

BURTON F. BUEHRER March 28, 1930 – May 19, 2021

Burt Buehrer, longtime Los Alamos High School coach and physical education teacher, passed away on May 19, 2021, in Walnut Creek, California, after a long illness.

Burt was born in 1930 in Toledo, Ohio. He fondly remembered his boyhood years spent in Blissfield, Michigan. His love of basketball began while playing on the Blissfield High School basketball team. 

Burt went to Alma College in Michigan for one year, and then because of health issues he moved with his first wife Kathleen to Silver City where he earned his BA and teaching certificate at Read More

GINGER HIRT March 22, 1944 – May 25, 2021

Ginger Hirt passed away peacefully in her home Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Ginger was born March 22, 1944, to Arnie and Rose Warren in Osage, Iowa, where she grew up with her sister Liz (Mooberry). 

She graduated from Luther College with a degree in Music Education. After graduation, she was determined to find adventure far beyond the small towns of Iowa. A teacher recruitment fair offered her a job teaching elementary music in Los Alamos and she jumped at the opportunity.

It was at a singles party in Los Alamos that she met Tony Hirt. She knew the first time they met Read More

ELMER LEROY GRADY Aug. 5,1926 – June 6, 2021

Parents Bert Austin Grady and Lela Adeline Grady (Robertson), Sister: Leverne Zimmerman

Children, Kenneth LeRoy Grady, Regina Marie Sherman, Douglas Everett Grady, Donald Karl Grady, 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren. Liked:  Hunting, Fishing, Square Dancing, and Playing Cards (Pinochle and Cribbage).

Elmer survived the Great Depression but was angry with God, because he prayed for food and only got a 50-pound bag of beans. He and some of his high school buddies started working as machinists. Then they joined the war effort. He went into Read More

KAREN ROWAN Dec. 13, 1949 – May 31, 2021

Karen Rowan passed away on May 31, 2021, after a 5-year battle with lung cancer.

Karen was born in Abilene, Texas on December 13, 1949. Her family moved to Houston, where, at the age of 12, completely on her own, she made her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized.

Karen graduated in 1971 with a degree in Art History from the University of Texas

at Austin, where she also met and married Randy Rowan, her husband of 50 years.  Karen and Randy moved to Los Alamos in April 1976.

Karen loved teaching children. She was an elementary teacher Read More

JON WILSON June 1, 1939 – March 3, 2021

Jon Wilson, 81, of Greeley, passed away on March 3, 2021 in Greeley, Colorado.

He was born to John and Beryl (Chapel) Wilson on June 1, 1939, in Casper, Wyoming. Jon proudly served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

Jon worked for and retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory. He was proud to be a grandson of Homesteaders Dan and Cora Chapel out by Pawnee Creek north of Stoneham, Colo.

He was a fan of UNC football and basketball. He enjoyed officiating swim meets and coaching in the Special Olympics. He also enjoyed gardening and cooking.

Jon is survived by his Read More

WALTER F. HUEBNER Feb. 22, 1928 – June 1, 2021

Walter F. Huebner, renowned astrophysicist and lifelong traveler, passed away peacefully at his home in Norman, Oklahoma, June 1, 2021, at the age of 93, surrounded by his family. 

He was born in New York City, February 22, 1928, to Margaretha (Koch) and Richard Huebner.

Walter spent his childhood in Franzendorf near Reichenberg in what was then the Czech Republic. In 1947, at the age of 19, he emigrated back to the United States. He enrolled in Dobbs Ferry High School and continued on to Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute where he developed his passion Read More