Howard W. Nunez

Howard W. Nunez, age 93, died peacefully on October 12, 2018, after a very short illness and surrounded by his wife and children. 

He is survived by his wife Dot Nunez of Albuquerque. They have loved each other for 75 years, and been married for 70 years. He is survived by their son, Glenn (and Cindy) of Oakland, CA; their daughter, Virginia (and Bruce)  of Galveston, TX; and grandsons, Chris Niebuhr (and Ashley), of Hilo, HI, and Michael Niebuhr (and Sara), of Galveston, TX. 

Howard was born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi. Immediately after his high school graduation in 1943, he joined the Army, trained in Florida and Virginia, then sailed to England on the HMS Queen Mary in late 1944. He was transferred to the continent in June 1945 and served with the Combat Engineers in Germany, rebuilding bridges. In his lifetime, he never missed his opportunity to  vote and the American flag flies at their home on national holidays. 

Howard held two degrees in Civil Engineering - a BS degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University (courtesy of the GI bill) and a Master’s degree from Missouri School of Mines, now University of Missouri, Rolla, where he also served on the faculty of the Civil Engineering Department. He then spent his career as a civil engineer, mostly in materials testing, for 4 years with the NM State Highway Department and 26 years with Sandia National Laboratories. 

Howard was a deacon at Trinity Methodist Church. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 295 at St. Timothy’s Lutheran and received Woodbadge training. 

He gave 64 years to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving Albuquerque Lodge No. 461 as Exalted Ruler, serving the NM Elks Association for 5 years as Trustee and another 10 years as State Secretary, and serving the BPOE Grand Lodge as District Deputy for NM North, Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight, and 9 years as a Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the state of New Mexico. In 1968, he was honored as the NM State Association’s Elk of the Year. 

Howard and Dot loved, loved, loved the outdoors - camping, backpacking, hiking, and 40 years of RV’ing. They rafted the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, traveled the Lewis & Clark Trail and made four RV trips to Alaska (and three other visits). They served as campground hosts at many locations in Colorado, Texas, and South Dakota, most notably at their beloved Custer State Park. Their travels took them to 49 of the 50 states. 

Howard lived by the Great Commandment - to love one another and to walk humbly with his God. Howard never had an enemy, was nonjudgmental and kind. He could fix just about anything. To be “Howardly” means to be organized (you should see his shop and his desk!) and prepared (his end-of-life planning began many years ago, steps all taken to take care for us even past his death). He has always made us feel safe. We love him dearly, and have wished him “bon voyage.”

At Howard’s request, there will be no service. If you would like to honor Howard, please make donations to the Elks Foundation (www.elks.org), or Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation Hospice (www.phs.org –Give Now –Hospice) or a charitable organization of your choice. 

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010