Wednesday, May 29, 2013

R.I.P. Former Sen. Steve Stoddard

Steve Stoddard, a former state senator from Los Alamos, died last week. He was 88.

Stoddard, who worked 29 years as an engineer for Los Alamos National Laboratory, died in Los Alamos Friday.

According to his obituary on the DeVargas Funeral Home website, Stoddard was born in Washington state. He joined the Army after graduating from high school in 1943 and won a Purple Heart after being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Before going to the Legislature, Stoddard won elections as justice of the peace and later municipal judge. He also served on the Loas Alamos County Commission.

Former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici urged him to run for state in 1980. Stoddard, a Republican, won his first of three terms that year. He didn't seek re-election in 1992.

Stoddard is survived by his wife Barbara Leverett Stoddard, two daughters, Dorcas Avery and Stephanie Martin; and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services for Stoddard will be held 11 am tomorrow (Thursday May 30) at Trinity-on-the-Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Dr., Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, his family requests contributions to: “Los Alamos Visiting Nurses Hospice House”, P.O. Box 692, Los Alamos, NM, 87544, or “Self Help Inc.” 2390 North Road, Los Alamos, NM, 87544.