Category: Community

Obituary — Robert A. Lett

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Lett, 88, of Albuquerque on April 10, 2023.

Bob was born in Washington, D.C., and spent his happy and mischievous childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University and a second degree from the American Graduate School for International Management. He spent his professional career programming computers for IBM, Meadows Resources, and Public Service Company of New Mexico.

Besides his favorite job as a paper boy, he loved his time in the US Navy abroad the USS Cogswell (DD-651). Bob retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant Commander where he was the commanding officer of his Naval Reserve Security Group. It was with trepidation that you asked him about the Navy because the well-told stories would be told again and again.

He lost Patricia Lett, the love of his life, in 2016. Bob is survived by daughter, Karen Brugge; son, David Lett, both of Albuquerque; and son-in-law, Steve Brugge, of Albuquerque; grandchildren Sarah Brugge of Boston, MA, and Adam Brugge of Albuquerque. He’s also survived by brother Richard Lett and wife Suellen of Pittsburgh, PA.

Bob was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He volunteered for many years at Roadrunner Food Bank. Memorials may be made to either of these two organizations or a cause of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at Holy Cross on Saturday, May 6th, at 10:30 AM.

Oscar Wehlander, our beloved grandfather, father, brother-in-law, uncle and friend passed away on March 3, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born on April 20, 1930 in DeLamere, North Dakota. As he grew up, he created many wonderful memories with his five brothers.

Oscar married Marlene Olson in Reno, Nevada on July 15, 1955. They had two daughters: Kim and Keri. Sadly, Oscar was predeceased by his daughter Kim in 1991, and his wife Marlene in 2021.

Music was always part of Oscar’s life. He grew up singing with his father and brothers, and that love of music continued as he became a professional touring musician for a time, and then became part of various barbershop quartets. Oscar sang with The New MexiChords in Albuquerque, and the last quartet he was part of was Brass Rail. He regularly performed in competitions and attended many barbershop conventions.  He also loved listening to jazz greats such as Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall.

Oscar served in the Air Force for four years, which included time in Korea during the war.  After attaining a degree in accounting at the University of Nevada in Reno, he worked for the Government Accounting Office and later for the Department of Energy.  After more than 30 years of public service, he shifted over to the private sector, working for Sysco.

Oscar loved traveling to new places, and he and Marlene went on several cruises together. He enjoyed reading books about history, watching college football games on television, and he and Marlene attended home games played by the University of New Mexico Lobos to enthusiastically cheer them on.

Our deepest thanks go to Janet and Jim Schipper, Cheryl and Terry Ragan, Janet Paoletti, Jim Law and Amy Hayward for offering Oscar and Keri so much kindness and support in this very difficult time. Oscar will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6901 Wyoming Blvd. NE with a graveside service to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Masks will be required during the service: we ask for your cooperation for the sake of family members at high risk for complications from Covid-19.  Thank you.

The service will be livestreamed as well.

Should you desire, donations in Oscar’s memory may be made to the Youth Jazz Collaborative of New Mexico to help support the love of music for the next generation. This can be done through writing a check to:
AAPAC Foundation
310 San Pedro Dr. N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87108.

Please indicate on the check that this is for the Youth Jazz Collaborative in memory of Oscar Wehlander.