Obituaries

CHARLES CALEF March 18, 1947 – May 16, 2021

Charles Calef died at home in Los Alamos on May 16, 2021 from cholangiocarcinoma.

Chuck was always in motion. He excelled at rock climbing, cross-country skiing, back packing, swimming, and bicycle riding. A good day for him included as many activities as possible.

Inspired by the beauty of nature, Chuck loved to make beautiful things. He painted watercolor landscapes that expressively captured his view of the world. He built fine wood furniture, baked sourdough bread, and played the piano. Never complacent, he was always curious to learn new things Read More

OLAND DALE THOMPSON Feb. 22, 1943 – May 15, 2021

Oland (Dale) Thompson, 78, of Los Alamos, NM, passed away after a short illness on May 15, 2021 with family by his side.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Oland Lay and Rosie Klechka Thompson, and his sister Barbara Sinclair.

Dale was born in Houston, TX and graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston in 1961. He graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. Years later, he also obtained a master’s degree in business administration from Read More

SAMUEL D. GARDNER July 19, 1933 – May 15, 2021

Samuel D. Gardner, 87, passed away, with family present, on Saturday May 15, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He was born on July 19, 1933 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was one of nine children. He spent his childhood in Durant, Oklahoma where his family ran a construction business.

After High School, he enlisted in the Navy and became a jet pilot. He left the Navy, in 1960, to seek a postgraduate degree in Physics from the University of Oklahoma. He was employed by Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1961-1994.

He was an avid photographer, fly fisherman, tennis Read More

FRANK P. WELCH March 15, 1931 – May 1, 2021

Frank P. Welch, 90, of Sun City West, AZ, and Los Alamos, NM, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home May 1, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his infant son Mark Stephen Welch, his parents Archibald and Josephine Welch, his sister Margaret Herold and his brothers John and Michael Welch.

Frank was born in Davenport, Iowa, March 15, 1931, and was one of 8 children. The family business was a successful local gas station and Frank and his brothers all helped out there. Frank attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport and earned a degree in Accounting.

On a drive Read More

LESTER F. LUEHRING Nov. 30, 1932 – May 9, 2021

Lester F. Luehring, 88, passed away onto the Lord in his Rio Rancho home on Sunday, May 9, 2021. Les was born on the family farm near Hanover, Kansas on November 30, 1932. 

A memorial celebration of his fulfilled life will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 3:00 pm at French Funerals – 9300 Golf Course Road NW in Albuquerque.

Les was an excellent student attending a one-room schoolhouse, winning the County spelling bee in eighth grade and graduating high school at the age of 16 years old. After one year at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, he taught school (5th Read More

Joanne Jean Mosher Meade Aug. 8, 1930 – Feb. 23, 2016
Robert Eugene Meade May 11, 1930 – April 14, 2021

Joanne Mosher was born in Milton Michigan and grew up on a farm in South Bend, Indiana. She played viola in the South Bend Symphony, graduated from Mishawaka High School, and worked at a clothing boutique.

She realized she wanted more out of life than hanging out with friends, going to dances and having fun on the beach. She obtained her private pilot license at the age of eighteen and received a scholarship to The Art Institute of Chicago. After moving to Chicago to attend the Art Institute, she stayed Read More

ELIZABETH HIGGINS Oct. 2, 1936 – April 8, 2021

Elizabeth Ann Higgins went home to Jesus April 8, 2021, at the age of 84.

Elizabeth was born to Clarence and Grace Hamrick October 2, 1936, in Hilton, Oklahoma. As a child, Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with her pets including her pet squirrel.

Elizabeth met her husband, Jim Higgins in 1953 at Hobbs High School. They got married September 10, 1956, and went on to have three children: Nancy, Claire and Blaine. Elizabeth and Jim attended college at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM.

After graduation, the couple moved to Los Alamos, NM where Read More

S. PETER GARY April 21, 2021

Peter Gary died on April 21, 2021 in Santa Fe, NM after a short illness. He was 81.

Peter was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents were Stephen Gary and Marie Shiglinsky Gary. His father taught at Memorial High School in Campbell, Ohio, where his parents raised Peter and his brother Dennis. The two boys were best friends. His mother was the star of their Byzantine Church choir and head of the PTA.

Peter and Dennis were both students in their father’s ninth grade Algebra I class, where their father exposed both boys to the logic and challenges of mathematics, leading them to Read More

PETER B. LYONS Feb. 23, 1943 – April 29, 2021

Peter B. Lyons passed away in Golden, Colorado on Friday, April 29, 2021, following a yearlong battle with cancer. Pete’s partner Peggy Lyon-Bull and his sons Daniel, David and Michael were able to join him at his side in his final hours. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication—to his family, to the scientific community and to the nation for a life spent in public service.

Pete was born to Leland and Rita (nee Horblit) Lyons in Hammond Indiana, in 1943. Although born in the midwest, he spent his childhood in Boulder City, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas, Read More

KENT CARLETON CROASDELL July 11, 1941 – April 20, 2021

Kent Carleton Croasdell passed through the gate to the eternal ballgame on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. We picture him now with a hot dog in one hand, a Pepsi in the other, a scorecard in his pocket, and a smile on his face.

He had been hospitalized following a series of strokes. Despite the current pandemic he was able to have loving family at his bedside at the time of his passing.

Kent was born July 11, 1941 in Pontiac, Michigan to Howard Sutton York, Jr. and Teresa Frances Felice. After his parents divorced, Teresa married Jack Croasdell. The family Read More