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