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J. Joseph Lopez, electrical engineer and civic leader, passed away February 21, 2000 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor Marron; five children and their spouses, Owen and Vicki of Santa Fe, Jay and Inge of San Diego, Kathy and Paul, Floyd and Susan of Albuquerque, and Tim and Ronda also of Santa Fe. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren; by his sister, Mary Neuburger of Las Cruces; his brother and sister-in-law, Al and Ivy of Point Pleasant, NJ; sister-in-law, Mime Lopez of Crofton, MD; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Lopez was born February 6, 1913 in Newark, New Jersey, graduated from Rutgers University in 1937, and was employed by AT&T until 1949 when he began working for Reynolds Electric Company in the capacity of the first manager of the Nevada Test Site. In 1956, he founded his own electrical consulting engineering firm, Uhl & Lopez, which served clients both nationally and internationally, with particular emphasis on the National Laboratories and the Mountain Bell system. He retired in 1992 after transferring his company to Holmes & Narver. During his distinguished career, Mr. Lopez received various merit awards for his work. He served on the board and was President of the Society of Professional Engineers of New Mexico. As a civic leader, he served on the board and as President of the Albuquerque Rotary Club, on the board and as President of the N.M. Symphony Orchestra, on the board of the United Way and co-chaired one year's fund drive, co-chaired the fund drive to build the Jemez Mountain Camp for the Girl Scouts of America, and served on the boards of the Maternal and Child Health Council, Casa Angelica, and the Albuquerque chapters of the American Red Cross and Easter Seals. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a Knight of St. Gregory. Mr. Lopez was interested in education, encouraging his children and his grandchildren in their academic pursuits as a priority. He served on the board of trustees of the Albuquerque Academy and, upon retirement, enrolled in classes at UNM and St. Johns College, concentrating in a liberal arts curriculum outside his professional disciplines. Mr. Lopez was also an avid golfer, skier and snowshoer and was known for his lengthy hikes in the mountains of N.M. and Colorado. A Memorial Mass will be said by Father Al McBride on Friday, February 25, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, in Albuquerque. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to charities of choice.
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