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Jack R. Songer, 82, a retired naval officer and devoted family man who loved to hike the Sandia Mountains, died of pneumonia Sunday, April 10, 2005 in Albuquerque with family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Songer; daughter, Polly Songer; and son, Kim Songer, all of Albuquerque; and daughter, Lynn Songer and son-in-law, Kevin Miller of Eugene, OR; along with two grandsons, Brannon Songer and Edward Willson; and three granddaughters, Katie Willson, Erin Miller, and Maddy Miller. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Songer. Jack was born to Arch and Willma Songer March 14, 1923, in Anderson, IN. He was raised in Anderson and attended Purdue University before joining the Navy and graduating from its postgraduate school in Monterey, CA with Degrees in Aeronautical and Electrical Engineering. He served in the Navy 26 years, retiring as a commander, after which he taught electronics at Blue Ridge Community College in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He married Patricia Brannon October 24, 1948 in Anderson. They were stationed at several naval bases, then lived in Staunton, VA, for 15 years before retiring to Albuquerque in 1983. He enjoyed bridge, woodworking, model railroading, hiking, bicycling, and landscape painting. He was a founding member of an informal hiking group that called themselves the Over-the-Hill Gang. He was known for a meticulous sense of detail and a quiet but persistent sense of good-natured mischief. He loved a good picnic and a good practical joke. Cremation has taken place, and the family plans to celebrate his life at a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Ambercare Hospice, 5100 Indian School Rd. NE, Alb, NM, 87110, or the Alzheimer's Assocation, New Mexico Chapter, 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite 209, Alb, NM 87111.
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