John "Jack" W. Twitchell

John W. "Jack" Twitchell, 71, of Rio Rancho passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020. He was born in Appleton, Minnesota on July 18, 1948, to  L.F. "Teeter" and  Pat Twitchell.  He graduated from Benson High School in Benson, Minnesota in 1966.  Jack enlisted into the United States Army in 1966. He married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life Kathy Leitz, on April 22, 1967. While stationed in Germany, Jack reenlisted in November of 1969.  He then attended the Cardio Pulmonary Technician School at the US Naval Depot San Diego.  His class started with 12 students and in 1971 he was one of only two that graduated.  Jack was one of the first Cardio-Pulmonary Technicians in the United States Army.  While in the Army, Jack was stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and then at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.  For eight years, Jack served our country and was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 5 in 1973. 

Jack then moved to Long Prairie, Minnesota and then back to El Paso, where he set up the Cath Lab at Sierra Medica Center.  After living in El Paso for four years, he took a position in Saudi Arabia.  His first job in Saudi Arabia was Technical Director of the Cardio-Pulmonary Lab at Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital.  He then worked for the Saudi Arabian Royal Family setting up clinics at the Royal Palaces in Riyadh and Taif.  Jack moved his family to Saudi Arabia and they lived there with him for four years.  For recreation, they became excellent squash players and would frequently go snorkeling in the Red Sea.  After leaving Saudi Arabia, he moved the family to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He worked for the Veterans Administration as a Respiratory Technician for 28 years before he retired.

Family was important to him and over the years, as his brothers and extended family needed a change, he always offered up his house to help them out and get a new start. Extended family ended up moving to Rio Rancho from Minnesota, California and Colorado, creating a new enclave.  Jack enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, waterskiing, and camping.

Jack is preceded in death by his son; Ryan Twitchell; and siblings, Tom Twitchell, Sarah Twitchell, Tim Twitchell and Chuck Twitchell. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kathy Twitchell of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; sons, John Twitchell of Frisco, Texas, Matt Twitchell of Minot, North Dakota; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Twitchell of Clontarf, Minnesota; brothers, Pat Twitchell of Benson Minnesota and Joe Twitchell of Chicago, Illinois; two beloved dogs, Tibby-Sue and Brutie; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

To know Jack was to love him and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Services will be held 10:30 AM, Friday, September 4, 2020 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Rd., Rio Rancho, NM 87124    Inurnment to follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.