Stewart A. - Los Alamos - Apgar

Stewart A. Apgar III, a long time Los Alamos resident, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 7, 2014, with family members at his side. Stewart was born the only child of the late Stewart, Jr. and Thelma Apgar in Raton, on November 28, 1928. Stewart spent the majority of his childhood growing up in the Glorieta and Pecos areas. His parents later moved to Three Rivers, where Stewart graduated from Tularosa High School in 1947. After high school, Stewart moved to Albuquerque, attended UNM, and joined the Air National Guard. While living in Albuquerque, he learned of the jobs available at LASL. Stewart moved to Los Alamos in 1949 to work at GMX. In 1952, he enlisted in the US Navy and served two tours of duty in the Korean War. While on shore duty in San Diego, Stewart met his soon to be wife, Betty Wood, at a local USO. After his discharge from the Navy, Stewart and Betty were married and returned to Los Alamos.\r\nStewart spent the majority of his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory, with the exception of three years, working on the Atlas Missile project at Convair in San Diego, CA. Stewart retired in 1990 from LANL with 42 years of recognition. While at LANL, he worked on the Rover Project, Operation Plumbbob, and Glovebox work, both at DP site and TA-55.\r\nStewart is survived by his wife, Betty of 58 years; sons, Stewart Apgar, IV (Candi Hildman), Scott Apgar (Wendy), Sean Apgar (Connie Campbell), Sheldon Apgar (Carrie); ten grandchildren, Stewart Apgar V (Brooke), Wesley Apgar, Lauren Apgar (Cesar Renteria) all of Texas; Amber Askew (Shane), Jessica McCord (Chris), William Apgar (Melissa Fischer) all of Albuquerque; Angelee Rich (Sasha Kettering) of Wisconsin; Alicia Apgar (Victor Martinez), Amanda Apgar, and Malorie Apgar of Los Alamos; seven great-grandchildren, Paige, Mason, Gavin, Alayna, Cade, Aiden and Hailey; and his little Dachshund, Tori.\r\nStewart was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Los Alamos Chapter #63. He served as Worthy Patron three times. He was Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of NM and served on the Cancer Committee of the General Grand Chapter. Stewart was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Pajarito Lodge #66, the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Los Alamos Shrine Club, where he enjoyed driving the Shriner’s Model T in the parades and selling onions. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years and always loved to be outdoors, but his real passions were motorcycles and antique cars. He would often be found with a camera around his neck, documenting family events and his driving adventures. Many will remember him recently riding his blue Harley 3-wheeler around town.\r\nA memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Los Alamos Methodist Church. An internment service will be held Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurses or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. The family of Stewart A. Apgar III has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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