Obituaries, Jan. - June 2006

[Note: in cases where donations may be made to New Mexico Tech, the address is: Advancement Office, New Mexico Tech, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801.]

Dr. Christina Balk, longtime professor of geology at New Mexico Tech, passed away on March 8, 2006. She was 98. She was in an assisted living facility in Santa Fe.

Dr. Balk was born in Springfield, Ill. on October 8, 1907. She received her Ph.D. in paleontology from Johns Hopkins University. She taught at Mount Holyoke College in Holyoke, MA and the University of Chicago. She and her husband Robert Balk moved to Socorro, NM in 1952 where he joined the faculty at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. After his death in an airplane accident, Christina became a geology professor and Dean of Women. For many years, she was nearly the only woman on the faculty.

Dr. Balk lived in Socorro for many years and was active with the Humane Society and the Animal Shelter. She retired to Santa Fe in 1993, where she has resided at Ponce de Leon Retirement Community. The family asks that memorial contributions be directed to the Balk Scholarship at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM.

Balk was remembered by many in Socorro as a woman ahead of her time. Not only was she a scientist when that was unusual for women, but in addition, as Mary Franklin recalled, "Long before cities were recycling, Christina and my mother were colleting paper, cardboard, aluminum, and glass as a way to raise money for the shelter. Christina drove all the recycling to Albuquerque and sold it."

The family would like to thank the staff at Ponce de Leon Assisted Living Dept. and Odyssey HealthCare of Santa Fe. Cremation has taken place and private family services are planned. Arrangements by McGee Memorial Chapel, 1320 Luisa St., Santa Fe, 983-9151.

Jean E. Burand, age 88, passed away on Sept. 6, 2005. She and her late husband Willow Burand (53, BS, mining engineering) were longtime supporters of the New Mexico School of Mines. Jean was born in New Kensington, Penn., on Oct. 14, 1916 to Dr. J. M. and Tillie Ross Kerr. She was graduated from high school in Washington, N.C., and attended Flora McDonald College. In 1957, she was graduated from the University of Alaska and worked as a Home Extension Agent, traveling extensively throughout Alaska with bush pilots flying in land, ski, and float planes. She served on the National Board of Nutrition.

Clay P. Castleton, died on April 20, 2006, of injuries sustained in a single-car rollover accident which occurred on State Highway 9, north of Playas, N.M., where the research university's Playas Training Center is located. Castleton was returning to the university's Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in Socorro, where he was in charge of the research division's Information and Technology Operations Branch.

He was a 2000 graduate of New Mexico Tech with a degree in computer science.

He was born August 31, 1973 to John R. and Patricia L. (Karhan) Castleton in Yuma, AZ. After graduating from Kofa High School in Yuma, Clay attended Arizona Western Community College before transferring to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 1993.

In 1994 Clay began working at EMRTC. At the time of his passing, Clay was the Head of the Information and Technology Operation Branch at EMRTC, managing the network infrastructures of EMRTC, METTOP, IERA, Playas Training Center and assisting other departments with their computer and networking needs.

On September 27, 2003, Clay married his other half, Jennifer (Earle) Castleton.

Clay's family recalled, "One of THE defining events in Clay's life came at age four when he saw Star Wars: A New Hope. Watching and helping Clay collect Star Wars items gave us all great joy." Some of his other hobbies included hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, soccer and reading.

During a memorial service at New Mexico Tech on April 25, Van Romero, vice president for research, said "My own personal recollections of Clay Castleton hark back to about 11 years ago, when I was the director of the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, or EMRTC; and Clay, while still an undergrad at New Mexico Tech, was also employed there as a part-time student worker.

"Even back then, Clay exhibited an extraordinary intelligence and a profound dedication to the work he was assigned at EMRTC, which belied his obvious youth. But more remarkable was his willingness to take charge of all his work assignments and lighten the load of his co-workers at all times -- always without complaint or fanfare.

"Upon graduating from New Mexico Tech, Clay chose to stay with us here and stake his claim at EMRTC. In this somewhat unconventional professional venture he chose to pursue, I enthusiastically supported him. I knew EMRTC needed someone like Clay working on its computers and computer networks, and keeping him here was important for this research organization, and, ultimately, for this research university. Clay was a keeper!

"As head of the Information and Technology Operation Branch at EMRTC, Clay Castleton worked collaboratively with just about everyone at the research division, especially since so much of what goes one there on a regular basis involves crunching data with some sometimes stubborn computers. He often assigned tasks, but, more often, he demanded more of himself than anyone else in the room.

"He was charged with managing an extensive network of computers; but that pales in comparison with the extensive network of admiring friends and grateful colleagues that he engendered throughout his years at EMRTC.

"The mark that Clay made on EMRTC will be indelible."

Clay is survived by his wife, Jennifer of their home in Socorro; his parents, John and Patricia Castleton; his sisters: Wendy Sanford and Stacy Castleton; his "girls", Natty Gray and Aspen Grey; and an extensive network of friends and family who love him dearly.

Clay enjoyed flowers, but the family asks that any donations be made to the Animal Protection Association of Socorro or the Watermelon Mountain Ranch, P.O. Box 15194, Rio Rancho, NM 87174.

Jean Mullins Macey, age 84, longtime supporter of New Mexico Tech, died Sunday, February 19, 2006 in the Renaissance Center at Sunrise Assisted Living of Albuquerque. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, William B. Macey, a member of the Class of 1942. The Maceys resided in Albuquerque, N.M. and Tucson, Ariz. Jean was a graduate of Santa Fe High School; Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and the University of New Mexico. She was a recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding service to UNM. Jean will be remembered by her many friends, the love of friends and family and for her wonderful sense of humor.

Jean Macey is also survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean Todd; son-in-law, Dr. Joseph C. Todd; granddaughter, Sarah Jean Todd of Centennial, Colo.; sister-in-law, Doris M. Poppenberg of Williamsville, N.Y., and five nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, NM Chapter, 9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 209, Albuquerque, NM 87111; the University Of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, PO Box 245046, Tucson, AZ 85724-5046; or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank caregivers, Eugenia Hoff, Camilla Seda and Penelope Wroski from "Right at Home" for their outstanding service during the last year of Jean's life. Also to Patti Feightner, Director of Community Relations at Sunrise, for her patience and guidance in helping with the transition of Jean from her home to assisted living. In addition, the hospice care provided by Lynnette Wallner and her staff of "Hospice de la Luz" was especially helpful. The timing of their caregiving, empathy and love was invaluable at the time of great need for the family. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400

John T. Mullany, a 1934 graduate of the New Mexico School of Mines, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006. John was born on November 15, 1911 in New York City to Irish immigrant parents John and Winifred Cook Mullany. He attended St. Patrick.s Elementary School, graduated from Butte High School, and attended Montana School of Mines for three years while working for the Anaconda Copper at Stuart Mine.

The spirit of adventure beckoned John, and he "hopped the rails" for Socorro, where he entered the School of Mines. Upon graduation, John moved to Fort Peck, Mont., where he worked as an engineer on the pilot tunnel projects. Upon his return to Butte, he resumed his employment with the Anaconda Company at the Badger and Anselmo mines.

John's thirst for learning lead him to study law through LaSalle University while continue to work as an engineer. In 1939, he was admitted to the Montana State Bar.

On St. Patrick's Day in 1941, John married Mary Anjel, and together they raised two daughters, Ann Marie and Carol Jean.

John's respect for striking workers led him to leave the Anaconda Company when he refused to cross the picket line in support of those with whom he had worked side by side. These convictions led him to enter the practice of law. John was highly regarded by his fellow attorneys for his honesty and integrity. He was honored by the State Bar Association in 1989, when he received his fifty-year pin. The word "retirement" was not in his vocabulary. He practiced law until he went on senior status with the Bar at the age of ninety-one. He was an active Democrat.

The most important aspect of John's life was his family. His wife passed away in 1998. He was a member of St. Ann's Parish, the Silver Bow County Bar Association, the State Bar of Montana, the Highland View Golf Course. John is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Ann Marie and Jim Courtney and Carol and Dave Nevin, and by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Right: Philip Poirier's yearbook photo.

Philip Poirier passed away on Sept. 15, 2005, at the age of 55. He had received two degrees from Tech: a bachelor of general studies in 1980 and a bachelor of metallurgical engineering in 1986. He had been working in the mining industry in Chile for the past 17 years. According to his brother Ray, "Philpo" died of a sepsis infection, following surgery on an aneurysm in his leg.

Philpo was an iconic presence on the Tech campus in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Friends who gathered electronically to share their recollections of him recalled him for his exploits outside of the classroom, as a stellar rugby player, as a denizen of the Cap, as an outstanding chef of dishes such as Kung Pao chicken, and as a man who knew how to enjoy life.

Not many people realized that Philpo was a "preppie," having graduated from the prestigious Deerfield Academy and then attended Trinity College in Hartfort, Conn. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1975.

Philpo is survived by his wife Maria Soledad Tamayo and their son Phllip Lauren Joseph Poirier Tamayo, who reside in Chile.

Thames "Tim" Wedgewood, age 42, passed away on June 2, 2006, after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Thames was a talented artist and musician who was known to many at New Mexico Tech and in Socorro as Tech's graphic artist from 1995 to 2000 and musician with the band Vinegaroon for many years.

Thames was born on April 2, 1964. He was the son of Charlotte Coffman and Charles Hopkins, father of Justin Hopkins, brother of Tammy Lindsay Howell, and life partner of Ronna Kalish.

Thames earned a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in industrial design and did graduate work at Notre Dame in sculpture. Among other jobs, he apprenticed with a gourmet chef, and went on to work in a number of high quality restaurants as chef and ice sculptor. He trained as a graphic designer, welder, beautician, videographer and photographer. At one point he worked on a ship with the Merchant Marines, and spent time on the Caribbean island of Martinique.

"Thames was different from the time he was two," recalled his sister at the memorial service in Polvadera, where over 100 Socorroans from all walks of life gathered. "He saw the world in a different, more creative way." Friends recalled Tim as a sculptor and industrial designer, a musician and songwriter who played banjo, harmonica, drums, slide guitar, and human kazoo; a vocalist for Vinegaroon and other bands; a comic; a chef; a modern major general (in Pirates of Penzance); a graphic designer and PhotoShop whiz; and -- his favorite job of all time -- part of the exhibit development team who opened Explora Science Center in Albuquerque.

In his final year, while battling cancer, Tim traveled extensively. He went to music festivals, visited his son in Hawaii, went to his sister's wedding in Tennessee, drove an RV with Ronna to Mexico, and played many gigs.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to either of these two memorial funds: NM Tech Performing Arts Series Thames H. Wedgewood Endowment, c/o Ronna Kalish, Performing Arts Series Director, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM, 87801; or Explora Science Center Thames H. Wedgewood Memorial Endowment, c/o Paul Tatter, Director, ESC, 1701 Mountain Rd. NW Albuquerque, NM, 87104.