Robert F. Bestgen

Robert F. Bestgen Ph.D, 79, passed away on Wednesday, July, 11, 2018. He entered this world on June 19, 1939 in Omaha, NE and although he lived all over the country, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, NM - a city and state that he loved. He was a proud and loving father who cared deeply for his family and friends.



After a 25-year career in the United States Air Force (Officer, Scientist and Executive Director of Laboratories), Colonel Bestgen went on to hold many Senior Executive positions in the private sector. He was Executive Director/Vice President of Internal R&D for Batelle, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Lovelace Institutes, Chief Operating Officer of The Ischemia Research Foundation and Principal of Bestgen Associates. Robert Bestgen received a B.S. in Engineering /Biomechanics at Kansas State University, a M.S. in Engineering at Stanford University (AFIT), Ph.D. in Physics at Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and a Senior Executive Management Program at Harvard University.



He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Lewinger and her husband, John Lewinger; and three grandsons, Shawn Conley, Devin Conley and Alden Conley. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Bryanne Conley.



A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery.