Obituaries

FREDERIC ROBINSON FAIRFIELD Oct. 4, 1947 – Oct. 26, 2017

Frederic Robinson Fairfield, known to his friends and family as Eric, passed away on October 26th, 2017 in his Los Alamos home at the age of 70.

Eric was born in 1947 to Ruth Robinson and Edwin Eaton Fairfield of Orange, New Jersey. He attended the Pingry School in New Jersey before studying chemistry and math at Lehigh University. He earned his PhD in biochemistry in 1980 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

After pursuing his postdoctoral research in Eugene, Oregon, where his daughter Jessamyn was born, he moved to Knoxville, Read More

ESTHER RICE ABERNATHY April 18, 1927 – Oct. 23, 2017

Esther Rice Abernathey, 90, of White Rock, passed away Monday, October 23, 2017 at home. She was born in Hill City, Kansas, on April 18, 1927. Her parents were Clara Floy Law Rice and Lewis Herman Rice.

Esther grew up on a farm in Graham County Kansas during the Great Depression. She graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State College in 1949. It was at Fort Hays that she met Robert Abernathey, a returning Navy veteran, and they were married in January 1949. 

She was an early childhood educator for 20 years.  At Little Forest Playschool in Los Read More

TONY M. BORREGO Jan. 25, 1931 – Oct. 22, 2017

Tony M. Borrego, 86, a resident of White Rock, passed away in Los Alamos on Sunday, October 22, 2017 with his family by his side.

He was born on January 25, 1931 in Española to Luis and Erinea Garcia Borrego. He was raised in the Española Valley and attended and graduated from Española High School Hornets being Class Valedictorian in 1950. Tony loved to learn, especially numbers, westerns as well as history, especially of New Mexico and the Southwest. He was a voracious reader, with westerns being some of his favorites.

After his world became dark, he enjoyed Read More

DEBORAH M. (SCHREIBER) HERRERA Oct. 21, 2017

Deborah M. (Schreiber) Herrera 62, from El Rancho passed away on October 21, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.  

She is preceded in death by her parents Abner and Dorothy Schreiber and her in-laws Juan and Sophie Herrera.

She is survived by her husband Tommy, sons Samuel and Ernesto his wife Magaly. Sister Abby Gould, her husband Tom, Nieces Faith Benson, her husband Howard, Kayla. Tabetha Baca her husband Phillip, Madison. Tamara Max her husband Patrick, Shelby, Kennedy and Cory. Nephew Brain Gould.

Her special friends and urn bearers are Read More

DANTE STIRPE July 27, 1928 – Oct. 5, 2017

Dante Stirpe, 89, passed away in Tucson, AZ, on October 5, 2017.

Dante was born near Veroli, Italy, on July 27, 1928, to mother Annunziata and father Costantino. His father emigrated to the United States, and the rest of the family followed a few years later in 1931, settling in Schenectady, NY.

Dante earned a BS from Union College, an MS from Iowa State University, and a PhD in physics from the University of Missouri. During college in Iowa, he met Beverly Jean Anderson, marrying her in 1953.

His first job in the sciences landed him back in New York, at General Read More

DONALD D. McCURDY Oct. 18, 2017

On October 18, 2017, The world lost an inspirational, knowledgeable, fun, loving, card playing, joke and story-telling person when Donald D. McCurdy passed away peacefully. 

Don was born in Ellis, Kansas. After High School, he served in the Air Force and then started his career thereafter. In 1972, he and his wife of 58 years, Mary, moved their family to Los Alamos, New Mexico where they raised six boys. Don worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory until his retirement.

Donald was a loving Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Read More

JOHN H. SNYDER Dec. 24, 1965 – Oct. 14, 2017

John Snyder never met a stranger and once you met him you never forgot him. His sense of humor and generosity brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. Knowing John was a little bit like knowing a super hero, except that John was known to be a little louder and had a few more tattoos.

He had many jobs in his lifetime, but his favorite job of all was that of “dad”. He had two daughters who he loved very much, and who he was very proud of. One of John’s passions was sharing music with the people he cared for, and his love of music lives on through many.

  Read More

DAVID NIGEL MULLEN Feb. 19, 1963 – Oct. 10, 2017

David Nigel Mullen had many passions that he pursued throughout his life, including his family and friends, the Fighting Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, history, hunting and shooting, and photography. 

David died unexpectedly on October 10, 2017 from a medical condition at his home at the age of 54. David is survived by his wife, Evelyn Mullen, his children, Tyler and Hannah, his mother Helen Elaine Worley, his adoptive father James Mullen, and his sisters Sian Mullen, Juliet Philpott, and Tammy Mullen. 

David was born in Nuneaton, England Read More

HAROLD FISHBINE Oct. 5, 1919 – Oct. 6, 2017

Harold Fishbine was born to Beatrice and Max Fishbine on October 5, 1919, in New York City. He passed away in Los Alamos on October 6, 2017.

He was a resident of Los Alamos since 1944. He loved New Mexico, particularly Los Alamos, and all the people he knew here. He was employed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory until his retirement in 1982.

His big interests were his family and music of all kinds, and he played bass in jazz bands and symphonies.

He is survived by Bonnie, his wife of 71 years; two sons, Brian and Glenn; granddaughter, Jenna Fishbine; and many Read More

RUTH J. SHERMAN Jan. 1, 1933  – Oct. 8, 2017

Ruth J. Sherman, a 57-year resident of Los Alamos, died peacefully at her home on October 8, 2017. Daughter of Morris and Bernice Joffe, Ruth was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 1, 1933. After Bernice passed away when Ruth was just seven years old, her father married Beatrice, whom Ruth came to know and love as her second mother.

Ruth was fiercely independent, highly intelligent, and passionate about learning. Although she aspired to be a doctor, she earned her degree in nutrition from Northwestern University. She became the Head Dietitian Read More

CHARLES R. “CHUCK” MANSFIELD July 27, 1938 – Oct. 6, 2017

Charles R. “Chuck” Mansfield was a devoted family man who loved his wife Arlene and his son Dave. Chuck is the son of H. Robert Mansfield and Dorothy Louise (Rice) Mansfield and was born July 27, 1938   in Lewiston, Idaho. He left and joined his maker Oct. 6, 2017.

Chuck was always interested in aviation. In High School he formed an Air Explorer Squadron under the Boy Scouts of America. From 1958 to 1969, he worked as a Siskiyou Smoke Jumper in the summer while attending college. He fought fires for the US Forest Service throughout the Read More

BRANDYN ORTEGA Jan. 14, 1996 – Oct. 2, 2017

Brandyn Ortega, 21, of Los Alamos, NM, died unexpectedly on Monday, October 2, 2017. He will be deeply missed by his parents, Heather and Andrew Ortega; siblings, Taylor Rose, Savannah, Isaac, and Joshua; grandparents; great-grandparents; and extended family and friends near and far.

Brandyn was born in Los Alamos on January 14, 1996, the light of his mother’s life. The consummate jokester, Brandyn loved to make those around him laugh and have fun. He was caring and giving and always good for a hug or a hand. He doted on his mother in big and small ways as Read More

LAURA MARGARET HILL Aug. 19, 1947 – Aug. 27, 2017

Laura Margaret Hill, age 70, passed away peacefully on August 27th, 2017. Laura is survived by her life partner John Brannon, her sister Jamia Hill, her two nephews Don and Andrew and her numerous kitties, which she loved and adored.

Her parents were Boyce and Margaret Hill, and she was born in Los Angeles California on August 10, 1947. Laura preferred her name to be pronounced “Lara” and she shared her kind and beautiful gifts with the various communities in which she lived.

Before Lara graduated from University High School in West Los Angeles in 1965, Read More

VIVIAN E. PEARSON April 10, 1948 – Sept. 20, 2017

Vivian E. Pearson, affectionately known to her family as “Grammy,” was born April 10, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. She passed away September 20, 2017 at her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Vivian graduated from Glenbard East High School in 1966. After graduation she worked various jobs ranging from hotel clerk, nursery care attendant, and in retail.

The wild beauty of New Mexico reverberated deeply in her own wild spirit when she first moved there in 1971. After a brief return to Illinois, she returned to the Land of Enchantment in 1973 and chose to Read More

CONNIE L. REZAC (HAYDEN) Jan. 26, 1942 – Sept. 19, 2017

Connie L. Rezac (formerly Connie L. Hayden) passed away peacefully on September 19, 2017 in the loving care of Casa de La Luz Hospice in Tucson, AZ.

Connie is survived by her husband John Rezac of Tucson, AZ.; Sister Ruthie Banta (Ken) of Thornton, CO., Son David Hayden (Jennifer) and Daughter Donna Hayden of Los Alamos, NM; Grandchildren Austin Hayden (Dominique), Logan Hayden (Lis), and Haylee Hayden; and Great Granddaughter Piper Hayden.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Jim Hayden, her grandson Isaac Hayden, Read More

RUTH LOMAN Nov. 7, 1930 – Sept. 27, 2017

Ruth Lomon, a frequent summer visitor to Los Alamos and Santa Fe, died at her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home after a long illness on Tuesday. She was 87 and a well-known classical music composer. She is survived by her husband, Earle Lomon, a physicist at MIT, and children and grandchildren.

Her compositions include orchestral, chamber, vocal and solo works as well as multimedia works. She was awarded numerous commissions and grants over the years, including one from the New Mexico Arts Division.

She was the Composer/Resident Scholar at the Women’s Studies Read More

NANCY C. BEARSS April 27, 1944 – Sept. 22, 2017

Nancy C. Bearss, 73, a resident of Los Alamos for 51 years, passed away September 22, 2017, from a year-long courageous battle with lymphoma cancer.

Nancy was born April 27, 1944 in Boone Grove, Indiana, and graduated from Ball State University in 1966. She taught physical education for 29 years at Pueblo Junior High and the Los Alamos Middle School. In the 1970’s, Nancy worked bravely and diligently to institute Title IX for the benefit of many young women in Los Alamos.

Nancy maintained a wonderful attitude throughout her illness and continued to Read More

WENDY JO MCGUIRE Oct. 4, 1948 – Feb. 8, 2017

Wendy passed away in her apartment at the Albuquerque Grand Sr. Living on February 8th, 2017. She hadn’t lived there long and always felt it would be temporary, but in that time she had made friends and become essential to the running of the place. The memorial the manager and others created for her was lovely and memorable. But now that it’s fall, with Wendy’s birthday approaching, it’s time for a celebration of her life at the farm, which she had loved since 2000.

Wendy spent her school years in the Los Alamos school system (attending Read More

RICHARD P. BEST Sept. 7, 1924 – Aug. 26, 2017

At the age of 92, Richard P. Best passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his loving children.

Richard was born in Paris, Illinois, on Sunday, September 7, 1924, the only child of Paul and Dorothy Mae Best. He graduated from Paris High School 1942 and headed to college at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he became a proud and significantly involved lifelong member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

During his first semester of his freshman year at DePauw, he enlisted in the Army and Read More

HARRIET A. DODDER Nov. 24, 1929 – Aug. 27, 2017

Harriet A. Dodder, 87, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on August 27, 2017 at the Los Alamos Medical Center following a sudden illness, with her nephew, nieces and lifelong friends by her side.

Harriet was born in Pine City, MN November 24, 1929 to Hans and Salma Grandt. She attended country school and graduated from Pine City High School in 1947. She went to the University of Minnesota to obtain a teaching degree. She also met her future husband, Donald Dodder, who was getting a graduate degree in nuclear physics. They married in 1951 and moved to Los Read More

THOMAS WILSON HORNSBY III Feb. 3, 1983 – Sept. 5, 2017

Thomas Wilson Hornsby III, 34 of Parker, Colorado went to be with the Lord on September 5, 2017. Thomas was born in Los Alamos, NM on February 3, 1983. He attended Barranca Mesa Elementary school, Los Alamos Middle School, and Los Alamos High School. He received his Bachelors Degree in E-Business from Westwood College of Technology Denver in 2004. He was an IT Security Manager at Dish Network.

Thomas was the loving Husband of 7 years to Jamey, Proud Father of son Thomas Wilson Hornsby IV and daughter Jepsyn of Parker, Colorado and Stepfather to Read More

GLEN A. GRAVES Nov. 11, 1927 – Sept. 12, 2017

Glen A. Graves of 80 Barranca Road, a 67-year resident of Los Alamos, died Tuesday evening of complications from a stroke. He is survived by his sons Frank (in Boston), John (in Newport Beach, CA) and Thomas (now in Los Alamos), as well as one sister, Maxine Mann (in Bloomington IN), still surviving from his four siblings. His wife Sue passed away in March of 2016, and is now resting at Guaje Pines, where Glen will also be interred.

Glen was born on November 11, 1927, in Stanford Indiana, a small town near Bloomington Indiana. He grew up on a farm that faced significant Read More

RICHARD (DICK) WARNES Aug. 16, 2017

Richard (Dick) Warnes, 84, died Wednesday, August 16, 2017 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dick was born in Chicago and lived in Indiana, California and then New Mexico where he and his wife lived for 47 years in Los Alamos before moving to Albuquerque. He died in the compassionate care of Mi Casa at La Vida Llena and Hospice of New Mexico.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Bill Warnes, and wife, Roberta, Linda Penaloza and husband, Robert; and his grandchildren, Alexander and Ian. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Read More

ELLIOTT HARRISON CLAY Nov. 10, 1995 – Sept. 1, 2017

Elliott Harrison Clay, of San Jose, California, passed away on Friday morning, September 1, 2017. He was 21 years old.

Elliott was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico on November 10, 1995, and he would always consider Los Alamos his home. Elliott was very active in his younger years, and greatly enjoyed scouting, baseball, football, and basketball. He also had a natural affinity for music, mathematics and science, which were talents he pursed throughout his life.

In the summer of 2001, when Elliott was five, his family moved from Los Alamos for a year Read More

CAROLYN T. ORTEGA Aug. 28, 2017

Carolyn T. Ortega, 86, passed away August 28, 2017 after a very brief illness with members of her family by her side.

She is survived by her children, Amanda McNeese and husband, David, David Ortega and wife, Kay, Anna Ortega and husband, Gerald Greenhouse and Paul Ortega; grandchildren, Mike and wife, Wendy, Leisa and husband, Jay, Carly and husband, Doug, Daniel, Alicia, Andrew, Emilee and Nathan; and great-grandchildren, Ivey, Myles, Lili, Logan, Calden, Layton and Madeline. She is also survived by her siblings, Lucy, Angie, Louise and husband, Randy, Rosie, Read More

LAWRY WEBB MANN July 9, 1931 – Sept. 2, 2017

Lawry Webb Mann, 86, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 2, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family.  Lawry was a man who gave much to his family, church, community and nation.  He made the world a better place and will have a place in our hearts forever.

He was born July 9, 1931 in Yakima, Washington. When Lawry was 11 years old, his father Oren, mother Barbara and brother Jerry moved to Candle, Alaska, just south of the Arctic Circle. This was truly a highlight of his life and started his love of travelling. After World War Read More

ROSA LEE SMITH Aug. 28, 2017

Rosa Lee Smith, 101, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017 in Los Alamos.

She was raised in Texas and graduated from Stanton High School in Stanton, Texas. She married in 1933 to J.E. Herring and they lived in Denver City, Texas, where she was the city secretary. Rosa Lee and J.E. had one daughter, Jerry Eugenia Herring. They divorced in 1948.

Rosa Lee had an insurance company in Denver City, TX. She met and married Art Smith in 1952 and they moved to Hobbs, NM. They moved to Farmington in 1958 and they loved it. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, golf, Eastern Read More

GEORGE GRANT HILL April 19, 1930 – Aug. 27, 2017

George Grant Hill, age 87, passed away peacefully in his home on August 27th, 2017. George was born on April 19, 1930 in Lisbon Falls, Maine. He attended the University of Maine, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

In 1952, George married the love of his life, Donna Lord. George and Donna had two children; David and Kathryn (Kathy). They lived in St. Albans, West Virginia for eight years where he worked for Union Carbide Corporation, specializing in Olefin plant design. In 1962, the Hills moved to Los Alamos, NM. George Read More

MITCHELL JAMES RENDELL Aug. 7, 1942 – Aug. 22, 2017

Mitchell James Rendell, 75, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

Mitch was born on August 7, 1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Carroll and Gladys Rendell.  He married Sally Macaulay Mary Butler on October 24, 1963.

Mitch served in the United States Navy for 22 years with assignments all over the world including Okinawa, Japan, and Melbourne, Australia.  After his time in the Navy, he worked for many years as a budget analyst and had a business degree from the University of Maryland. He was active in retirement, playing golf several Read More

HERTA SCHMIDT June 17, 2017

Herta Schmidt, 95, of Santa Fe passed away on June 17, 2017.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, followed by internment at 1:30 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Berardinelli Funeral Home.​ Read More

NELSON Q. ATENCIO Aug. 20, 2017

Nelson Quirino Atencio, age 88, beloved father and brother, passed away peacefully, Sunday, August 20, 2017. He was born in Dixon, NM and was a resident of Albuquerque.

Nelson was a proud Veteran who served our country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. Nelson was a respected Church Elder and usher for many years at The United Church of Los Alamos. He enjoyed ice fishing, fly fishing, hunting, and horses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Quirino and Corina Atencio; his wife, Vita; his son, Orlando; siblings, Hector, Dennis, John Atencio Read More