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Arthur S. Riffenburgh, 78, a fighter for justice and exemplar of compassion, has gone on before us July 24, 2007. After previously surviving leukemia, his voice was stilled by throat cancer but our memories hold his words. Art was born in 1928 in Christiansburg, VA. After some travel he began his life in the west where he earned a B.A. in psychology at UNM, Albuquerque, in 1951. After college, Art answered what proved a lifelong concern about social injustice with a career in law enforcement, beginning with a 4 year service in the NM State Police. During these years he was stationed in various locations in New Mexico bringing along his new and growing family. This moving broadened Art's contact with and understanding of our richly tri-cultural peoples which served him well in the years to come. He directed his energies into the federal court system as a probation/parole officer in Albuquerque until he retired in 1978. This experience gave Art the intimate insight into our "corrections" establishment which guided his powerful contributions to the NM Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty of which he was an active and cherished member for many years. Art was also very concerned about the earth, especially all the creatures of the Arctic. His "citizen business" cards read: "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees. Live modestly. Forgo greed. Be compassionate." His humor, stories, and loving heart will be missed by all those he touched, cared about, and had faith in. The world is a better place for Art having been here with us! Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Ruth; his son, Harry; daughter, Donna Strebe and her husband, David; daughter, Audrey Riffenburgh; brother, Ralph and his wife, Angelyn; brother, Robert and his wife, Gerrye; and grandchildren, Daniel, Renata, and Hannah Strebe. A Memorial Service and reception will be held at Daniel's Funeral Home at 3113 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque (Ph: 884-1188) 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2007. A wake/dinner to celebrate his life will follow at Albuquerque Mennonite Church, 1300 Girard NE. Memorials be made to NM Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty, PO Box 8552, Santa Fe, NM, 87504 OR Northern Alaska Environmental Center, 830 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99701.
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