Obituaries

LOUIS ROSOCHA Oct. 17, 2017

Dr. Louis Rosocha died unexpectedly in Los Alamos, NM, on October 17, 2017.

Louis was born in Harrison, Arkansas, in 1950 to Stanley Rosocha and Wladyslawa “Lottie” Zarkowski Rosocha, and raised in Yellville, Arkansas.

He attended the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), receiving his BS in physics in 1972. He received the MS and PhD degrees in physics, with a minor in chemistry, from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) in 1975 and 1979. While at UW-M, he met and married Emma Riemer. They lived in Madison until Louis joined Los Alamos National Read More

DENNIS E. SMITH Feb. 23, 1942 – Nov. 23, 2017

Dennis E. Smith, 75, died Thursday, November 23, 2017, in Albuquerque, NM.

He was born February 23, 1942, in Washington, DC, to Ernest and Violet Smith. He grew up in Minneapolis, MN, and Los Alamos, NM.

After graduating from Los Alamos High School in 1960, he attended the University of Denver and later the University of New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Navy, where he trained to become an Electronics Technician. He worked for a short time at Los Alamos National Laboratory and later as a manager for many years with Mountain Bell (later known as US West Communications/Qwest Read More

EDWARD CASADOS Nov. 16, 2017

Edward Casados passed away peacefully on Nov. 16, 2017 at his home in Los Alamos.

Edward was a loving and devoted husband for 70 years. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He retired from the Los Alamos Labs after 44 years where he was a chemist. He belonged to the English and Spanish Toastmasters. He had a deep faith in God and his church where he was a lector for many years.

Many knew him from his lifelong love of tennis. His strong love of music was passed down to his children and grandchildren. He was a band member of the Star Dusters and Blue Notes. Read More

BARBARA ROGERS HENDERSON Nov. 15, 2017

Barbara Rogers Henderson, 81, passed away on November 15, 2017 at Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she was known for her smile and pretty eyes. 

She enjoyed living in Pajarito Acres very much since she was raised on a cotton farm in Atoka, south of Artesia, NM. She had her own horse and thus did not mind the “Horsey set” and especially the lot size.

Music was a large part of her life including clarinet, piano, organ and voice. She graduated from Artesia High School in1954 and New Mexico A&M in 1958. At A&M she met her future Read More

ELIZABETH “BIFFER” MARTINS Nov. 7, 2017 

Elizabeth “Biffer” Martins was born in Illinois in 1922 and grew up in a small suburb of Rock Island called Milan. She loved school and tap dancing!

She graduated from Rock Island High School where she was the valedictorian. Following her high school graduation, her family moved to New Mexico, where her father had been born. 

Biffer used the shorthand she had learned in high school to work as a court reporter for the District Court in Albuquerque.

Biffer met her husband, Johnny, at a dance at Kirkland Air Force Base. They married shortly after Read More

MARILYN PETSCHEK, Née POTH Dec. 8, 1924 – Oct. 22, 2017

Marilyn Petschek, née Poth, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2017 at the age of 92. She was living at El Castillo in Santa Fe at the time of her passing. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched.

Marilyn was born in New Orleans LA, and was raised in Lynbrook, NY. She held a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Smith College, and a Masters degree in Physics, from the University of Michigan. During her master’s studies at the University of Michigan Marilyn met her husband to be, Albert, whom she married Read More

GEORGE H. KOLB Aug. 10, 1919 – Oct. 30, 2017

On October 30, 2017 George H. Kolb passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice of the Valley in Surprise, Arizona with family at his side.

George was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 10, 1919. After technical high school, he became a welder by trade. In 1942, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in the South Pacific assigned to the Seabees. 

In August 1945, he was on 30 day leave to his home in Chicago when the Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. George was honorably discharged from the Navy at Great Lakes Navel station in Chicago, December 19 Read More

TOBIAS DANIEL ERVIN July 25, 1975 – Nov. 4, 2017

Tobias Daniel Ervin was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 25, 1975. He was 42 years old when he passed to be with our Lord and Savior.

Tobias is survived by his grandmother Frances Giron, his mother and father, Rosina M and Russell R Ervin, his daughters McKaylyn, Jordyn Ervin and his ex-wife/confidant Melonee Ervin, sister and brother-in-law Crystal D and Kevin J Miller, and 3 nephews Aedin and Leif Miller, Kaden Niderman and one niece Skyelar Miller. Tobias was currently in a loving relationship with Lacey Hamson. Tobias truly loved his family Read More

CAMILLA PATRICIA VAN SLOUN March 17, 1924 – Nov. 10, 2017

Camilla Patricia Van Sloun, 93, affectionately known as “Pat”, “Patty” and “Aunt Patty” and to her working contemporaries as “Van”, born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1924 passed away on November 10, 2017 after a long and fruitful life. 

She was the second child of her late parents Henry C. and Anna K. Van Sloun and sister to Maxine T. Burciaga, who preceded her in death. She earned a nursing degree, graduating in 1945 from the College of St Catherine in St. Paul Minnesota. 

Following school, she had a 40 plus year career at St. Mary’s Read More

BARBARA KEADY Oct. 29, 2017

Barbara Keady longtime resident of Los Alamos who was a Los Alamos High School graduate in 1977 was a strong woman who battled brain cancer for 3 1/2 yrs.

Unfortunately, the cancer won the fight in the end, as she passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2017.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m., on Monday, November 20, 2017, at Calvary Albuquerque, 4001 Osuna Rd. NE.

Barb loved the mountains and the beach and would love to share her talent as an artist.

Barbara Keady Artwork:

Read More

JOY LYNN HANDSBERRY April 5, 1968 – Nov. 3, 2017

Joy Lynn Handsberry of Albuquerque, New Mexico, born April 5, 1968 in Dover, Delaware, lost her valiant battle with ovarian cancer on November 3, 2017 in Albuquerque. Joy was 49 years old.

Joy graduated as valedictorian of her class from Smyrna High School in 1986. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Mathematics from the University of Richmond in 1990, graduating first in her class once again.

Soon after earning her degree, she moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico and began her teaching career at Los Alamos High School. Her enthusiasm for helping Read More

JEAN DUMMER Feb. 1, 1931 – Nov. 3, 2017

Jean Dummer died on Friday November 3, 2017. She was 86 years old. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family after an unexpected devastating stroke.

Betty Jean Roberts Dummer was born February 1, 1931 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She married Jerry on June 1, 1952, and after a year in Nashville (Jerry’s grad. school) and two years in Maryland (U.S. Army), they settled permanently in Los Alamos, NM in November of 1953.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sons Gregory Jerome and John Roberts.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 65 years; Read More

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.

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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