Donald - Age 88 - Los Alamos Oschwald

Donald L. A. Oschwald, 88, of Los Alamos, NM, died Thursday, March 29, 2012 at his home where he resided for 32 years. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Virginia Berkeley Oschwald. Virginia was Don’s high school sweetheart. They are survived by their children Jane and her husband Bruce Miller of Springfield, MA; Dr. Donald Oschwald Jr. and his wife Kathryn of Raleigh, NC; Carolyn and her husband Michael Mellos of Rio Rancho, NM; David Oschwald and his wife Carla of Santa Fe, NM; Fr. Daniel Oschwald of Raleigh, NC; Nancy and her husband Clay Calhoun of Elizabeth, CO; James Oschwald and his wife Kirsten of Albuquerque, NM; William Oschwald of Raleigh, NC and 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Don is also survived by his wife, Kathleen Wortmann Oschwald. Don and Kathleen were married in Los Alamos in 2001, after a chance meeting in “FEMAville” following the destruction of their homes in the 2000 Cerro Grande forest fire.\r\n \r\nBorn in Boston, MA in 1923, Don was the only son of Gertrude and August Oschwald. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy Air Corps and was stationed in California. Following WWII, he moved to Santa Fe and was employed as a draftsman. With the help of the GI bill, he attended and graduated from Tulane University in 1956 with a degree in architecture, and returned, with his growing family, to settle in Santa Fe. There he worked for W.C. Kruger & Assoc. during the years when Los Alamos was being built.\r\n \r\nAmong his many accomplishments, Don served as Chairman of the Architectural Registration Board of the State of New Mexico. His service included terms in the late 1970s and 1980s, the 1990s, and, most recently, in 2003 through 2004. He was dedicated to giving back to his profession, and he served on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards through grading paper exams. Don served the county of Los Alamos as alternate building inspector and worked diligently to protect the public welfare. Additionally, he served as County Chair for the State Democratic Party in both Santa Fe and Los Alamos Counties. \r\n \r\nDon embraced life and entered everything he did with an optimistic outlook. He loved his family, his profession, politics and his adopted state. Remembering his roots, he enjoyed every opportunity to enunciate his Boston accent for folks. He will be remembered for his independent spirit and unwillingness to conform to a 9-to-5 job. Don also was a dog lover and had numerous canine companions throughout his life. Don was an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. \r\n \r\nIn his honor, a funeral mass will be held there at 10:00 am on Monday, April 16, 2012. The family would like to thank Don’s many care givers, and especially Pat Lovato, for the loving care they provided over the past year. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Don Oschwald’s memory to the Berkeley Scholarship Foundation, The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. The family of Donald L. A. Oschwald has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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