Fred Pena

To his family and friends he was Fred, Honey, Dad, my brother Fred, G-Pop, Grandpa Fred, and Uncle Fred. Ralph Fred Pena, 76 of Tucson, Arizona passed away on Saturday, July 04, 2020 at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson following an illness. He was born October 23, 1943 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico to Joe and Clara (Bustos) Pena. Fred grew up in Fort Sumner where he attended school. He continued his education at New Mexico Mining and Technology (NMMIT) in Socorro, NM where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree. Ralph married Patricia Kaye Schmitt on October 23, 1964 in Socorro, NM. Fred worked 48 years in the Minerals Processing, Grinding Division. He worked as Manager, Processing Engineering for Climax Molybdenum in Climax, Colorado for 2 years; Pima Mines in Tucson, AZ for 8 years; Quintana Mines in Truth or Consequences, NM for 2 years; and Koppers/Svedala/Metso in York, PA for 36 years. He retired in January 2014. Fred was a member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. He made his home in Leadville, CO; Tucson, AZ; San Francisco, CA; Las Cruces, NM; and York, PA. Fred enjoyed golf, woodworking and travel across the world. Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Clara and Joe Pena, a daughter Anne Louise Pena, and three brothers Joe Pete, Eddie, and Henry Pena. He is survived by his wife Patricia Pena of the home in Tucson, AZ, a daughter Kaye Pena-Bennett and husband James of Lake Anna, VA; a sister Irene Kesler of Stockbridge, WI; two grandchildren, Patrick Rafael Pena-Bennett of Lake Anna, VA and Laura Bennett of Waynesboro, VA. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions in memory of Fred Pena to the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, https://www.kidney.org/donation or the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Holy Rosary and funeral Mass were held at 10:00 am Saturday, July 11, 2020 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM. Interment followed at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers included Patrick Pena-Bennett, James Bennett, Casey Pena, Gary Pena, Michael Pena, and Joseph Pena. The family of Fred Pena regrets that the services were not be open to the public due to the statewide restrictions pertaining to the COVID-19 Virus. In cooperation with the Governor’s order, services are limited to the immediate family only. However, the family does kindly ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Please leave a note of condolence, share a favorite memory, or sign the online guestbook at www.chavezfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.