Search Results

Rutherford -- Robert E. Rutherford, age 79, a longtime Santa Fe resident, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2002. He faced cancer with dignity for the last three years. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 5, 1922, he lived his childhood years in Bernalillo, New Mexico. He graduated from St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe in 1940 where he played on the State Championship Basketball team that placed second at the National Catholic High School tournament in Chicago, Ill. He attended the University of New Mexico studying Mechanical Engineering prior to enlisting in the military. He served his country during World War II as a decorated member of the Army Air Force, receiving eight Bronze Battle Stars for various campaigns and the Air Medal for meritorious service as a radio operator and mechanic gunner on B-24 flights over the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged in November, 1945. He worked for Charles Ilfield & Co., Kimball Foods, General Tire and Montgomery Wards, retiring from Wards as the Automotive Manager in 1988. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary J. Rutherford; children, Cathy and Jay Stanke, parents of Alexis and Camden Stanke, Mike and Rose Rutherford, parents of Atalie Rutherford, and Patty and Kevin Wagner parents of Kayla and Patrick Wagner. Robert is also survived by his older brother, Phillip Rutherford, formerly of Bernalillo. A Rosary will be held at McGee Memorial Chapel on Thursday, October 10, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 1301 Osage Ave. in Santa Fe on Friday October 11, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. followed by interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you spend a day at your favorite outdoor activity celebrating Robert's life.
        Published on: Wed October 09, 2002