Edward M Sitzberger passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 25th, 2021 at the young age of 90. Ed was born in Cimarron, New Mexico on June 6th, 1931 to Edward and Gertrude Sitzberger. Ed grew up in Cimarron and graduated from Cimarron High School in 1949. He had a love of flying and got his pilot’s license at age 16. He and his brother often flew to Springer to get haircuts.
Because of his love of flying Ed joined the Air Force and served from 1950 to 1954. After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant he pursued an engineering degree at Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico and completed his BS in Mechanical Engineering at University of Colorado in Boulder.
In his extensive career as a Mechanical Engineer he worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA, the Atomic Energy Commission in Berkeley, CA, Rocky Flats in Boulder, CO and the Los Alamos National Labs in Los Alamos, NM. He was involved in nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site and managing test site experiments, he ended his career in engineering as the Engineering Division Leader in Los Alamos.
When retirement time came Ed wanted to return to Cimarron. He purchased the St. James Hotel in 1985 and began renovating it back to its 1870’s splendor. The St. James became an important tourist attraction for Cimarron. Ed sold the St. James in 1993. As president of the Cimarron Historical Society, Ed was the driving force behind the renovation of the village jail, restoration of the old town gazebo and placement of 14 historic markers in old town. He was awarded a Historic Preservation Award in May of 1998 to acknowledge his efforts.
Ed retired to the family home in Cimarron right across the street from where he grew up.
Ed lived a long full life and has supported and contributed to many people’s lives in his work on nuclear testing and his work in Cimarron where he spent the beginning and end of his life. Ed never met a stranger and gave the best hugs ever! His heart was always in New Mexico even when his jobs took him all over the western states. Rest in peace and look down upon us with the love that filled your heart.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Gertrude Sitzberger, his brother Jim Sitzberger, sisters Pat Dickinson and Marj Martin as well as his oldest daughter Diane Halenda.
Ed leaves behind his wife Sandy Sitzberger of Cimarron, daughters Jean Sitzberger of Cimarron, Judy Schettler of Plymouth, CA., son Ed Sitzberger Jr. of De Soto, MO and step daughter Lisa Maycott of Santa Clarita, CA. His sister Joan Hart of Walnut Creek, CA and Idlewild, NM, 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday September 17th at the Sister Hildegarde Parish Hall in Cimarron. Rosary at 10:00 followed by mass at 10:30. The family will have a private burial at the cemetery and return to the hall for a reception.
Thank you to all the nurses that helped during this difficult time. A special thank you to Robin Pilley and Connie Shields for your unending love and support.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations can be made in Ed’s name to the Cimarron Ambulance Service or the Immaculate Conception Church.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home in Raton.
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