EDWIN A. BEMIS, JR., 85, of White Rock died July 14 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
He was born in Littleton, Colo., the son of Edwin and Katherine Bemis. He was married to Darlenne Christensen. He studied undergraduate physics at the University of Colorado, where he taught physics to Navy fliers; played clarinet, trombone and piano in a dance band; and learned to pilot a biplane, competing in a national biplane competition sponsored by Jimmy Doolittle. He was a talented classical musician as well, in voice, piano and pipe organ. After serving from 1944-1946 in the Navy in the South Pacific and Japan, he returned to the University of Colorado, and then came to Los Alamos in 1947, when the streets were paved with mud.
As a staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1947-1980, he worked in the field of health physics, studying and developing protective measures against a variety of radiation sources, working in production, detection, the biological effects of radiation, and design of radiation measuring equipment. He was a charter member of the Health Physics Society, and one of the first 100 to be named as a certified health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics.
He was president of the Arts Council; a founding member of Coro de Camara; president of the Choral Society; president of the Los Alamos Concert Association; president of the Los Alamos Student Concert Association; member of a two-piano, four-hands group; sang with various local groups; was a founding member and president of the Los Alamos Historical Society; founding member and chairman of the State Health Coordinating Council; founder of the Family YMCA, which was the first in the country whose charter was to serve as a family organization, and adult sponsor for its Youth in Government program; member of the first Los Alamos Charter Commission; helped found the Triangle Club for AA members; was a founding member and member of the board of the Los Alamos Nutrition Interest Group; member of the architectural planning committee for Los Alamos Library, its endowment committee, and helped establish the Library Endowment Fund; was president and member of the board of Civitans; president of the Los Alamos PTA; president of Toastmasters; served on the Democratic Central Committee of Los Alamos County; was a member of the board and president of the Los Alamos Council on Alcoholism; is listed in the Who's Who in the West in 1954; was recipient of an Honorable Mention for the Jefferson Award for outstanding citizenship in service in the community in 1978; was recipient of the Governor's Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1983; and was named a Los Alamos "Living Treasure" in recognition of many years of community service in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Darlenne Christensen; and sister, Elizabeth "Bemi" Bemis Debus.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandy and husband Ron Geoffrion of White Rock, Christen and husband Howell "Corky" Howell, Jr. of El Rancho, and M'Lou B. Stevens of Washington D.C.; and one granddaughter.
An open house celebration of his life will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on August 25 at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Los Alamos Visiting Nurses Association, the Endowment Committee for Friends of Mesa Public Library, Coro de Camara, or your selected charity.
Dated: August 12, 2005
ELI MARTINEZ, 80, of Santa Fe died Wednesday after a long illness.
He was born to Bertha and Eli Martinez Sr. in Raton. He retired from the Highway Department in March of 1983 after 30 years of service. He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Chester. He was a member of the VFW. He enjoyed fishing and camping and taking his grandchildren with him. He enjoyed meeting his friends for a morning walk at the mall and going for coffee and donuts afterward.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Emma; children, Ronald Martinez, Anthony Martinez and wife Annette, Stella Chavez and husband Freddy, Alice Maturin, Barbara Martinez, and Anita Halbig and husband Randy; 12 grandchildren; sister, Edna Brown; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Robert and Richard Martinez; mother, Bertha Romero, and father, Eli Martinez, Sr.; brother, William Martinez, and sister, Lydia Gonzales.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, August 14 at Berardinelli Family Chapel. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 15 at the same chapel with burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 984-8600.
Dated: August 12, 2005
DAVID E. QUINTANA, 65, of Los Vigiles died Tuesday at the Alta Vista Regional Hospital after a long illness.
He was born in Las Vegas, N.M. to Vidal Quintana and Trinidad Jones. He was united in marriage to Dora Montano on January 15, 1966 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Las Vegas, N.M. He retired from the Las Vegas Medical Center Forensic Unit where he was employed as a psych tech for 25 years. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and spending time with his family. He was known as "Mr. Dave" and was an avid San Francisco 49er fan. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vidal Quintana and Trinidad Arguello.
He is survived by his wife, Dora Quintana of the family home in Los Vigiles; sons, Vidal Quintana and fiancee Anita Escovedo of Los Vigiles, and Eddie Quintana and wife Rita of Las Vegas, N.M.; daughters, Lisa Sedillo and husband Chris of Las Vegas, Nev., Grace Quintana of Los Vigiles, Cynthia Quintana and boyfriend Robert Padilla of Albuquerque, and Carmen Lopez of Phoenix; 15 grandchildren; special aunt, Figenia Quintana of Los Vigiles; brother, Joseph Jones, and son, Eric Jones, both of Albuquerque; sister, Isabel Falwell and husband Hank of Kentucky; and many other relatives and friends.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, August 12 at the Immaculate Conception Church. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 13 at the same church with burial to follow at Los Vigiles Cemetery.
Rogers Mortuary, Las Vegas, N.M., 425-3511.
Dated: August 12, 2005
COURTNEY ISABELLA TRUJILLO, 7 days old, of Santa Fe died Tuesday.
She is survived by her parents, Ernest Jr. and Theresa Trujillo; brother, Nikolai Trujillo and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. today, August 12 at the Berardinelli Family Chapel.
Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 984-8600.
Dated: August 12, 2005
JOHN S. BENSON, M.D., 85, of Los Alamos died July 13.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 10 at the Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espaņola Valley, 662-2400.
Dated: August 9, 2005
JOE V. GURULE, 77, of Cuarteles died August 7 of cancer.
He was born to Cecilio and Augustina Gurule in Corazon. His life consisted of many things, particularly his love for his family, hunting, fishing with his sons and camping trips. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served his country as a military policeman. He was a retiree from the Department of Corrections, having served for 33 years. Upon his retirement he worked for the Espaņola Public Schools as an activity bus driver. He loved to attend all sports events, and his participation as a driver allowed him to do just that. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan. He was always up for a friendly discussion and defense of the memorabilia he wore and displayed. He loved his garden oasis in Cuarteles and especially loved the covey of quail he nurtured daily. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an usher at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Caņada, an esclavo of La Capilla de la Sangre Cristo and a member of the Coro de la Sagrada Familia Group 1 in Cuarteles.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carmelita Q. Gurule of Cuarteles; children, Olivia Gurule-Sandoval and husband Bennie, Ymelda Roybal and husband Lenny, Ernestine Montoya and husband Valentin of La Mesilla, Thomas C. Gurule and wife Margie of Santa Fe, Tim Gurule and wife Patricia of Albuquerque, Joseph Gurule and wife Michelle, Ben Gurule and companion Dawn Vigil; a granddaughter that he raised, Felice Gurule of Espaņola; 21 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Cecilio Gurule and wife Rita of Las Vegas, N.M., Celina Quintana of Clovis, Isabel Gonzales and Pita Maes of Tucumcari, and Conferina Chavez and husband Joe of Colorado; and many other relatives and friends.
A rosary will be recited at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, August 10 at La Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Caņada. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 11 at the same church with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espaņola Valley, 747-7477.
Dated: August 9, 2005
KATHLEEN KAYLE of Taos died July 29.
She was a nationally renowned glass artist.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Ripple.
She is survived by her mother, Marguerite Ripple; daughter, Alexandra McBride and husband Thomas McBride; and one grandson.
Services will be announced at a later date.
Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home, 758-3841.
Dated: August 9, 2005
