Obituaries

OBITUARY: Katherine Patterson Krikorian Oct. 25, 1921–Feb. 10, 2013

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Katherine (Pat) Patterson Krikorian Oct. 25, 1921–Feb. 10, 2013
Katherine (Pat) Patterson Krikorian departed this earthly realm on Sunday Feb. 10, 2013 in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Born in Oxford, Miss., Oct. 25, 1921, Pat came to “The Hill” at the tender age of 22 as one of the first 200 military personnel assigned to the Manhattan project.
She met her husband, Krik in 1946 and they were married in Los Alamos in March, 1948. Before and after the war she was a civil servant with the Federal Government working for the Departments of Agriculture and State.
Pat saw Los Alamos through the inception of the
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OBITUARY: Robert Springer Nov. 2, 1920–Jan. 21, 2013

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Remembering the Life of Robert H. Springer
Nov. 3, 1920-Jan. 21, 2013

Robert was born in Chicago, Ill at the beginning of the roaring 20’s. His Dad was a pharmacist and owned a drug store. 

During the 20’s, they packed up and took a touring Ford and drove across country to California and settled in Covina. 

He grew up there and lived through the Great Depression. He had some interesting adventures such as finding and repairing a chain driven motorcycle, which he kept secret from his parents. 

During the 30’s, he bought a Model A Ford in peach baskets, and put it together and souped it Read More

Obituary: Benjamin Whitmore July 18, 1980 – Jan. 18, 2013

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BENJAMIN WHITMORE July 18, 1980 – Jan. 18, 2013

Benjamin David (Ben) Whitmore, age 32, died unexpectedly at his home in Albuquerque Jan. 18, 2013.

Ben was born in Bozeman, Mont., July 18, 1980. He attended public school in Bozeman and Los Alamos, N.M. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1999 and attended UNM receiving bachelors degrees in Biology and Chemistry and an associate degree in Applied Science in Applied Technologies.

He had worked as a technician at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute.

Ben was preceded in death by grandparents David E. Swanson (Butte), Gordon and Read More

OBITUARY: Martin Gursky March 19, 1927–Jan. 17, 2013

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MARTIN L. GURSKY March 19, 1927 – Jan. 17, 2013 

Martin Gursky passed away Jan. 17, 2013 in Los Alamos, New Mexico, two months short of his 86th birthday.

Martin was the moral, intellectual, economic and political compass of a close, loving and devoted family. His wit, wisdom and thoughtful counsel will be missed by family, friends and acquaintances alike. At his side since graduate school, has been his devoted and accomplished wife, Judith Cassidy Gursky.

Martin was born in New York City, New York on March 19, 1927 to Russian immigrant parents Mayer Gursky and Sonia Balen Gursky, who preceded Read More

OBITUARY: Selma Kron Nov. 11,1931-Jan. 13, 2013

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SELMA KRON Nov. 11 1931-Jan. 13, 1931

Selma Kron, 81, passed away on Jan. 13, 2013 in the presence of her beloved family. Born Nov. 11, 1931 in Philadelphia to Rose and William Adelman, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and married the love of her life Norman Kron who preceded her in death in 1995.  

Together they raised five children and built a successful skilled nursing facility, Ambler Rest Center. She was very proud of her contributions to the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia and Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America where they established the Norman

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OBITUARY: Edwin A. Kelley Feb. 7, 1934–Jan. 15, 2013

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EDWIN A. KELLEY Feb. 7, 1934 – Jan. 15, 2013

Edwin A. Kelley, 78, a resident of White Rock passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, which would have been his 25th anniversary to his beloved wife, Billie.

Ed was born in Washington, Pa., to John B. Kelley Sr. and Ruth A. Kelley on Feb. 7, 1934. He graduated from Trinity High School in Washington, Pa., in 1951.

He was a machinist all his life as many of the Kelley families were, and was known for being “one of the best.” He moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1967 to work for Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, in the main Shops.

In 1976 until 1981 he operated and owned Kelley’s Read More

OBITUARY: Martha Virginia Osborn Oct. 27, 1920 – Jan. 13, 2013

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MARTHA VIRGINIA OSBORN Oct. 27, 1920 – Jan. 13, 2013

Martha Virginia passed away gracefully on Sunday morning, Jan. 13, at home with family in Albuquerque. Her 92 years were full of adventures. She was born in Duenweg, Mo., one of four sisters.

She survived polio at a very early age with all but her left arm recovering. She could tie a shoe one handed tight enough to hold all day, something that continually amazed her daughter who could never figure it out.

She married Robert L. Osborn on Feb. 8, 1947 and was able to celebrate 66 years. They came to the Los Alamos area when Los Alamos was a closed secret Read More

OBITUARY: Peter Russell Forman Aug. 26, 1934–Dec. 30, 2012

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PETER RUSSELL FORMAN Aug. 26, 1934–Dec. 30, 2012

Peter Russell Forman, 78, died at home in Los Alamos, New Mexico Dec. 30, 2012 due to complications of cancer.

Peter began his life Aug. 26, 1934 in Toronto, Ontario Canada, as the third child of James and Jane Forman.

For his Dad’s health, the family relocated to Glendora in Southern California in 1948.

As a teenager he worked chilly winter nights for his father and others in lemon groves smudging to prevent frost damage, and summers he loaded crates of lemons at the packing house, thus learning that he never again wanted to be a farmer!

From Citrus

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OBITUARY: Gordon Don Crocker May 11, 1939–Dec. 22, 2012

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Gordon Don Crocker and his wife Judy on vacation. Courtesy photo

Gordon Don Crocker May 11, 1939–Dec. 22, 2012

Don Crocker lived a remarkable life filled with travel, the arts, multiple activities and never-ending interests, a great continuing love of learning, and in his healthier days, the rewarding energy of sports. 

He loved the opportunity for discussion, never reticent in expressing his opinion of the idea at hand, and those around him often had to maintain a serious face when he was enjoying his craft at punning.

Don’s activities included Adult Choir member and Youth Choir bass at Evensong, Read More

OBITUARY: Frank A. Ortega 1948 – Dec. 11, 2012

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Frank A. Ortega 1948 – Dec. 11, 2012

Frank A. Ortega, 64, a resident of Los Alamos passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. 

Mr. Ortega was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, sportsman and avid weight lifter.

He was a lifetime member of the NRA. He retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory in April of 2012. Upon retirement, he spent his time with his grandchildren; the loves of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro and Siprianita Ortega. Mr. Ortega is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Lillian Ortega; daughters: Emily Schmidt and husband Matthew Read More