Obituaries

MARY JO VAUGHN Oct. 3, 1927 – July 24, 2019

Mary Joanne Vaughn, age 91, of Albuquerque NM, passed away July 24, 2019. She was a resident of Aspen Ridge in Los Alamos.

Mary was born October 3, 1927 in Chicago, IL. She grew up during the Great Depression and began college at 15 years of age. A “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII, she earned her Baccalaureate in Mechanical Engineering from UNM.

She worked at Los Alamos in Z Division. She was the first female wind tunnel engineer at Sandia Laboratories in the 1950’s. She was a PEO and an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque. She Read More

CHARLES WISEHART Jr. Aug. 26, 1934 – July 19, 2019

Charles Wisehart Jr., 84, beloved father, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on July 19, 2019. He entered this world on August 26, 1934 in Cedar Rapids, IA, born to Charles and Gladys Wisehart. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Billie J. Wisehart. He is also survived by his children, Scott Wisehart and wife, Paula, along with their six children and 21 grandchildren; Billie Lang and husband, Dean, along with their four children and 14 grandchildren; Terry Vance and husband, Craig, along with their three children and one grandson; Read More

BURTON JAY KROHN May 20, 2019

Burton Jay Krohn, long-time resident of Los Alamos, passed away on May 20, 2019, after fighting a brave, two-year battle against renal cancer. He was 78.

Burton was proceeded in death by his parents, Melvin Herbert Krohn and Lorna Kraus Krohn.

Burton was born in St. Louis, MO, in 1941. At age 10 years old he moved with his family to Nashville, TN, attending Julie Green grade school and Hillsboro High School. From a young age Burton began to show interest in the four areas that would remain a constant throughout his life: music, science, Judaism and close personal relationships. Read More

BETTY ROSE SCOTT Dec. 23, 1930 – July 12, 2019

Betty Rose Scott of Los Alamos passed away July 12, 2019.

In 1948 Betty and Virgil W. Scott met and married soon after in Alton, Illinois and shared 68 years together.

In 1959 Virgil heard about the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and moved the family there from Illinois. Virgil and Betty raised 4 kids and spent the next 57 years together in Los Alamos.

Betty was such a sweet and caring Mom and Grandmother. Betty never met a stranger; she was friends with everybody. She brought life and light everywhere she went. Everyone she met felt the same.

Betty worked Read More

JENNIFER RACHAEL LONG July 6, 2019

Jennifer Rachael Long, 32, a resident of Arroyo Seco/Espanola, passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2019.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandmother, E. Jane Shipman, paternal grandfather, Bob Long and paternal uncle, Dale Long.

Jennifer graduated from Pojoaque High School in 2005. After a few years of college at UNM, she decided to follow her mother’s profession and entered nursing school. She graduated in December of 2012. While she was in school, she worked at a local nursing home where she cared deeply for her patients.

After graduating, Read More

MICHAEL LEONARD MATUSZAK July 3, 2019

Michael Leonard Matuszak, 79, peacefully passed away on July 3, 2019, surrounded by family.

Michael was recently diagnosed w/ T-cell lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in April and decided to fight it by embracing chemotherapy.

Michael was born in Hamtramck, Michigan and married his childhood sweetheart Rosemary in 1962. He was married 57 years. He obtained his PhD in chemistry (inorganic) from the University of Detroit and started his career working for Ford Motor Co in Detroit.

He moved his family to various parts of the US for different job opportunities Read More

NORMA L. JORGENSEN July 8, 2019

Norma L. Jorgensen, age 77, died unexpectedly on July 8, 2019, after a short, but fearlessly fought, battle against a vicious lymphoma cancer in her liver.

Born in Broken Bow, OK, she grew up on a small ranch in Dorris, CA. She lived most of her adult life in Los Alamos, NM, working in the National Laboratory and raising three children.

After retirement, she moved to Green Bay in 2000, with her husband, James Jorgensen. Both Being fun loving adventurers and travelers, they recently celebrated their 25th anniversary while enjoying a cruise around the world. Norma will Read More

MARY M. RANKEN Nov. 28, 1927 – July 4, 2019

After being stopped by police for speeding, F. Stanley Minshall and Tressa Garrett Minshall gladly received a police escort to the Hospital in Albany, Oregon, where their daughter, Mary Jeanette Minshall Ranken was born on November 28, 1927.

Mary grew up in Oregon, graduating from University High School in Eugene in 1946 with a close-knit class of 73 who kept in touch over the years thanks to her best friend, Pat Brooks.

In August of 1946, she moved with her parents and younger brother, Fred, to Los Alamos, N.M. so that her father could expand on work tied to Read More

SHANA MARIE GURULE June 9, 1974 – June 20, 2019

Shana Marie Gurule of Nambe, NM, born June 9, 1974, passed away June 20, 2019.

My beautiful loving daughter is beginning a new adventure somewhere in the universe, maybe in Heaven to reorganize and brighten up the place. The shy and remote girl blossomed into an outgoing adventuress, bringing joy to everyone she met with her many talents, enthusiasm and humor.

A dream of working in the travel industry lead her to serve as a hostess on trains and riverboats throughout the United States. With extended schooling she started a consulting business (Modernize) Read More

CECIL E. BINGHAM April 23, 1923 – June 7, 2019

Cecil E. Bingham, 96 years old, died June 7, 2019.

He was born on April 23, 1923 on the family farm near Woden in Bingham Township, Hancock County, Iowa. His parents were Oliver C. and Cora Fisher Bingham. Cecil attended rural school for six years at Bingham Township No. 4 and graduated high school in 1941 at Britt High School.

In 1941 the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cecil enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was honorably discharged as Boatswains Mate First Class on June 20, 1946. He served at Coast Guard stations in Washington, Oregon, Read More

WALTER HENRY WOODARD March 17, 1936 – Nov. 18, 2018

Walter H. Woodard passed away on November 18, 2018 after experiencing many years of renal failure.

He lived in Harlingen, Texas since 2008. However, he was a familiar face at Los Alamos Medical Center for more than thirty years where he served as Chief Plant Engineer.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Suzanna F. Woodard; his sons: Kenneth B. Woodard, Arlin H. Gurley, Lee Gurley and Michael A. Gurley.  He also leaves behind many extended family members & friends too numerous to list. He loved you all and appreciated your kind words to Read More

FRED L. RIBE Aug. 14, 1924 – June 19, 2019

Dr. Fred L. Ribe died at his residence at El Castillo in Santa Fe, June 19, 2019 following a long life of science, family, outdoor recreation and friendships. He would have been 95 in August.

Fred was born August 14, 1924 in Laredo, Texas to Viola Crowell Ribe and Otto E. Ribe. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas then attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering before joining the US Navy during World War II. He worked in signals intelligence in Washington D.C., achieving the rank of Lieutenant-JG. Read More

ROBERT N. JONES Aug. 28, 1949 – June 16, 2019

Robert (aka Bob, Bobo, Deacon) Jones passed away on June 16, 2019.

Robert was born on August 28, 1949 in Alamogordo, NM to Weems and Jewel Jones. The family moved from Albuquerque to Los Alamos in 1960.

Robert graduated from Los Alamos High School where he was an accomplished athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the LAHS state champion football team his senior year and received the “Athlete of the Year” Award that same year.

Robert graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with an industrial education degree and pursued Read More

VERNER ‘REX’ REXROTH Dec. 25, 1921 – June 4, 2019

Verner ‘Rex’ Rexroth was born in Denver, CO on Christmas Day 1921 and passed away June 4, 2019 in Carlsbad, CA.

Rex attended Colorado University in Boulder where he met the love of his life, Marilyn, and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Marilyn and Rex were married in September 1943 and started their lives together in Denver.

In 1947 they moved to the small community of Los Alamos where he worked at the laboratory and they raised their 4 children. After a 36 year career at LANL, they retired to Carlsbad, CA in 1985. Marilyn and Rex shared a Read More

JAMES BYRON BURNS Feb. 8, 1950 – April 1, 2019

James Byron Burns passed away suddenly on April 1, 2019 at the age of 69. He was born on February 8, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to James and Elizabeth Burns and had two older sisters Susan and Kathleen Burns. Here in Milwaukee he also met his wife, Cheryl Lynn Lemanski.

Jim’s passion was education as evidence by his 40-year career working as a middle school educator, teacher-mentor, college professor, educational consultant, published author and New Mexico State Middle School Association leader. Jim dedicated his keen focus to the needs of early Read More

SALLY MAY WINN Jan. 15, 1941 – June 6, 2019

Sally Mae Winn, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 in Rio Rancho, NM.

Sally was born on January 15, 1941 to Ernest and Evelyn Bowman in Keams Canyon, AZ. She was a long-time resident of Los Alamos, NM where she worked for Los Alamos County and then 18 years for Los Alamos National Laboratory. She retired in 1993 and she and Ken then made their home in Rio Rancho.

Sally is survived by her loving husband, Ken Winn; daughters: Donna Pederson of Tucson, AZ, Shelly Nichols and husband Mike of Weatherford, TX, Tracy Kohler and husband Read More

PATRICIA MURRAY PIMBLEY Aug. 27, 1923 – April 25, 2019

Patricia Murray Pimbley was born Aug. 27, 1923 to Russell and Gladys Riker in Trenton, NJ. She passed on April 25, 2019 in Los Alamos, NM.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and husband George H. Pimbley. She is survived by her three children, Robert, Robbin and Deborah.

Patricia was a registered nurse and also enjoyed passing on her knowledge of nursing to the students she taught.

In lieu of flowers, Patricia requests that donations be made to the Memorial Fund, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church or their favorite charity.

There Read More

DOUGLAS AVERY WILLIAMS Aug. 18, 1928 – May 4, 2019

Douglas Avery Williams, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully May 4, 2019 at his home in White Rock, in the company of his family.

Douglas was born August 18, 1928 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, son of James Lowell Williams and Dorothy Pearl Wallace and brother of Peter Oliver Williams. With the untimely passing of his mother, he then acquired a gathering of stepbrothers: Bruce, Berkeley, Ronald, Roger and Eric Eastman, sons of Lowell’s second wife, Marie Barker Williams.

Douglas graduated in 1946 from Westfield High School Read More

DONALD E. HUMPTON March 6, 1932 – April 22, 2019

Donald Edward Humpton was born in Burlington, Iowa on March 6, 1932 to his parents Dorothy and Frank Humpton.

He grew up in Burlington where at age 14 he met the love of his life, Colleen Storrer. Colleen’s father owned a grocery store down the block from the Humpton household. Donald started making lots of trips to the corner grocery to see this girl. On June 17, 1951, at age 18 he married his sweetheart who was 17 and just a few days past her high school graduation.

The happy young couple began their family in Burlington having Read More

BETTIE L. KERR Aug. 18, 1929 – May 12, 2019

Bettie L. Kerr, 89, passed away on May 12, 2019 at Aspen Ridge Lodge in Los Alamos, where she was a resident for the last 18 months.

Bettie was born on August 18, 1929 in Roswell, New Mexico to parents, Jewell Ryan and Carleton Poe, both from well-known families in Chavez and De Baca counties.

When her parents divorced, Bettie moved to her grandparents’ homestead near Ingleville, NM with her two sisters. Bettie’s mom worked as a clerk in the De Baca County Clerk’s Office in Ft. Sumner and Bettie would stay with her during the summer.

Bettie and her sisters Read More

MARK ‘ROCKY’ AARON ROBINSON Oct. 4, 1950 – April 28, 2019

After a long fight with Alzheimer’s, Mr. Robinson died peacefully Sunday, April 28, 2019, surrounded by his family.  Friends and family will gather at Pinon Park (A.K.A Rocket Park) this Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the life of Mark Robinson. An interment Service will be held at Union Chapel and cemetery in Ira, Iowa June 8, 2019.

Mark Aaron Robinson was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He was an Ecological Engineer, Environmental Scientist, and author. He traveled the world, including to Austria, Switzerland, the Philippines, Read More

BANDEL BEZZERIDES June 30, 1940 – May 7, 2019

Dr. Bandel Bezzerides was born in Stockton, CA on June the 30th, 1940 and passed away, May 7, 2019.

He attended the University of California at Berkeley as an undergraduate for physics and was awarded the prestigious University Medal in 1961, which is bestowed upon the top graduating senior. That same year, at age 21, he was named one of Time Magazine’s “Best and Brightest”.

He received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in theoretical physics in 1967. After a brief postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford, he completed his postdoctoral work at Lawrence Livermore Read More

PAUL PATRICK WHALEN  March 1, 1931 – April 30, 2019

It is with great sadness the Whalen family announces the passing of long time Los Alamos resident, Paul Patrick Whalen on April 30, 2019.

Paul was born in Grand Island, Nebraska on March 1, 1931. He attended a 2-room country schoolhouse for 9 years then transferred to the city high school where he met the love of his life Rosemary Egelhoff.

Paul was a star athlete and set the state track record for the 880 yd run in 1949. He was also an outstanding student and the Valedictorian of his graduating class. Paul was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University Read More

LORETTA J. MAES April 15, 2019

Loretta J. Maes passed away on April 15, 2019, peacefully at home in Las Vegas, NM, at the age of 74.

She was born in the beautiful countryside of Cebolla, NM. Loretta was a loving person who traveled the world through her education. She held a Bachelor of Social Work from NM Highlands University where she developed close relationships with the students and faculty.

Loretta is preceded in death by her beloved son, Patrick Ismael Medina; her grandson, Manuel Saenz; her sister, Lydia Garcia; and her three brothers, Gilbert, Joseph and Sonny Maes.

Loretta is survived Read More

EVERETT D. HOLMES JR. Aug. 3, 1937 – April 26, 2019

Everett D. Holmes Jr. (81) passed away on Friday, April 26th, 2019 at the Los Alamos Medical Center. 

That simple dash between the date of birth and the date of death listed on everyone’s tombstone had a lot of meaning to Everett and he was very proud of the way he lived his dash. He was a 20-year cancer survivor.

He was born in West Hudson Hospital in Kearny, New Jersey – the first child of Everett Daniel Holmes Sr. and Anna Theresa (Kelzenberg) Holmes on August 3rd, 1937.

He was a 1955 graduate of Kearny High School, upon graduation he enlisted into Read More