Obituaries

OBITUARY: William Gaskill Aug. 29, 1942–Jan. 22, 2013

by

WILLIAM E. GASKILL Aug. 29, 1942 – Jan. 22, 2013

William E. Gaskill (Bill) passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at the age of 70.

During his last days he was surrounded by his family and friends while in Kaseman Presbyterian Hospice in Albuquerque.

He is survived by his wife Virginia (Ginny); four daughters: Christine Gabaldon of California, Debra and husband Eric Larson of Jemez Spring, N.M., Laura Williams of Alaska and Lisa Shonrock of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren: Antonio, Amanda, Sarah, Rachel, Joshua, Megan, Remington and Carl; four brothers and their wives: Dick and Kathleen, Read More

OBITUARY: Benjamin Roy Saunders Jr, 1928-March 24, 2013

by

Benjamin Roy Saunders Jr, March 24, 2013

Benjamin Roy Saunders Jr, 85, known to most as Roy, passed away on March 24, 2013 with his family at his side.

Roy had recently moved to Colorado, but lived the majority of his life in Los Alamos and White Rock, NM.

Roy was born in Roanoke, VA to Ethel and BR Saunders and attended Roanoke College where he obtained a degree in Physics.

After college, he joined the Air Force and was assigned to supporting the scientific testing of nuclear devices through high speed photography and other assignments.

That work lead Roy to Los Alamos, where he continued to work at Los Read More

OBITUARY: Scott Alan Irving Nov. 27, 1969-March 23, 2013

by

Scott Alan Irving Nov. 27, 1969-March 23, 2013

Scott Alan Irving (aka Dreddlokk Scott) was born Nov. 27, 1969, Thanksgiving Day, at Williams AFB in Mesa, Ariz.

Scott passed away March 23, 2013, due to complications from an asthma attack.

He was an exceptional athlete who played tennis and soccer in high school in Colorado Springs and was an avid skier.

Scott even played tennis with then-governor Gary Johnson.

He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1987 and from NMSU in Business Administration and Hotel Management in 1994.

Scott worked at the Hill Diner, the ski hill, Sombrillo, the El Dorado Read More

OBITUARY: Cheri Chance April 1, 2013

by

CHERI CHANCE April 1, 2013

Cheri Chance of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed on into the energy of the universe and heaven Monday, April 1, 2013.

Cheri was the matriarch, anchor, and rock for her family and friends that extend across this country. Cheri was the daughter of Carolyn Chance and Alvin Chance (deceased.)

Cheri, the eldest, is survived by her sister Laura and brothers Mike and Kevin. Cheri was the strong and loving mother to Tess Levinson and Tye Smith, mother-in-law to Adam Levinson, and stepmom to Garrett Rhodes.

Cheri was the world, the wind, and the fire to her husband David Rhodes. Cheri Read More

OBITUARY: John ‘Jack’ Kephart April 12, 1927 – March 31, 2013

by

JOHN KEPHART April 12, 1927 – March 31, 2013

John “Jack” Kephart, a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away at home Sunday, March 31, 2013, 85 years, 11 months and 19 days after his birth in Evanston, IL, and 60 years, 7 months and 19 days after his arrival in Los Alamos.

He grew up in Berrien Springs, Mich., and his love of math and science led him to study physics at the University of Michigan, where he completed a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Physics.

After a brief stint of employment with Boeing in Seattle, he moved to Los Alamos in 1952 where he worked at the Los Alamos National Read More

A View from the Stacks: Your Librarian – the Original Natural Language Search Engine

by

Column by VERONICA ENICINAS
Head of Reference, Mesa Public Library

Long, long ago, before the World Wide Web had matured and long before the miraculous search algorithm of Google was invented, finding the answer to your questions often involved consulting an encyclopedia – as well as a call or visit to your local library.

On one of those long ago days, a reference librarian was asked, “What are those little stringy things on the inside of banana peels called? You know, the ones that sometimes cling onto the banana after you’ve peeled it?” Well out came the botanical reference books and a search Read More

OBITUARY: Horris M. Crane Sept. 1937 – March 20, 2013

by

HORRIS M. CRANE  Sept. 1937 – March 20, 2013
 
Horris M. Crane passed away at home March 20, 2013, as a result of myelodysplastic syndrome and severe pressure sores.
 
Horris was well-loved by family and friends, a finish cabinetmaker, a talented artist and a hero to many.
 
He was born in September 1937, at the home of his parents Henry Doil and Gladys Crane, near Lamesa, Texas. Five minutes later, his twin brother arrived, to his parents’ surprise.
 
The family moved to California early in WW II, and then back to a farm near San Angelo, Texas afterward. In 1946 they
Read More

OBITUARY: Arthur Nelson Cox October 12, 1927 – March 12, 2013

by

ARTHUR NELSON COX

Arthur Nelson Cox, noted astrophysicist, author and editor, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe. He was 85.

A public memorial service for Arthur will be held at the United Church of Los Alamos at 11 a.m. Monday, April 8.

Arthur was born October 12, 1927 in Van Nuys, Calif., to Arthur H. Cox and Sarah Nelson Cox. He was the third of their four children.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Donald, his older sisters, Marjorie-Jane and Priscilla, Joan Cox,

Read More

OBITUARY: Marion Louise Hay October 13, 1929 – February 15, 2013

by

MARION LOUISE HAY Oct. 13, 1929-Feb. 15, 2013

Marion Louise Hay passed away Feb. 15, 2013, with family and friends by her side after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Syracuse, New York Oct. 13, 1929. 

After many years in Texas she moved to Los Alamos in 1985.

Marion was a member of the United Church of Los Alamos for almost 28 years and was very involved with their Thrift Shop, which raises money for missions supported by the church.

She was preceded in death by her parents Emerson A. and Emily Grainger Hay, and her older brothers Emerson J. Hay and  John Albert Hay.

Marion is survived Read More

OBITUARY: Patricia Ann Graves July 13, 1931 – March 16, 2013

by

PATRICIA ANN GRAVES March 16, 2013 

Patricia Ann Graves (Roe) Pat, Grandma, Great Grandma passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones March 16, 2013 at the age of 81.

Pat was born at the family home in Abiline, Texas to Ruby Jo and William S. Roe on July 13, 1931.

Pat grew up visting her grandparents farm each summer with her many cousins.

She graduated from Abiline High School in 1948 and began her higher education that summer at Hardin Simmons University.

In the fall she attended School of Mines (UTEP) at El Paso. In a hurry to get on with her life she graduated with her bachelors degree (P.E) Read More