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Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph W. Putnam, 81, died peacefully January 22 with family at his side. A resident of Albuquerque for more than 35 years, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary Loraine Beatley Putnam. He is survived by his brother, Garnet Putnam of Strasburg, VA; son, Phil Putnam, daughter-in-law Lin Putnam and granddaughter, Hollie Putnam; daughter Bonnie Putnam Verardo and son-in-law Walter Verardo; daughter Donna Putnam; son Mark Putnam all of Albuquerque; son Michael Putnam, daughter-in-law Katherine Putnam and granddaughter Claire Putnam of Houston; and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews in Virginia. Born March 2, 1918, in Hume, Virginia, to Joseph Pendleton and Mary Elizabeth Putnam, Joseph serving during World War II as a B-26 pilot and in the Vietnam War as an airborne battle staff commander. During his 33-year career that spanned five continents, Joseph flew 6875 hours of left-seat time, including 1825 hours in combat. His last assignment in Albuquerque was as a high-altitude pilot flying the RB-57F with the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron ("F-Troop"). During this time, he became the oldest man in the Air Force to fly in a pressure suit. He retired in Albuquerque in 1975 to spend time with his family, restore antique cars, and build"just about anything." A brief committal service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 28 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed by burial alongside his wife and lifelong partner, Mary. The family wishes to thank his kind and loving caregivers and friends at The Cottages of Albuquerque where he resided for the last year. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions designated to fund stroke research be made to The American Heart Association. Arrangements by Aspen Funeral Alternatives, 1935 Juan Tabo NE.
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