Stephen Michael Adams

Stephen Michael Adams passed away December 5, 2018 in Albuquerque, NM. He served honorably in the USAF for 20 years which included two tours in Vietnam. He achieved rank of SMS/E8 having also worked as an avionics technician and crew member until one of his happiest work experiences as a director of NCO Academy prior to his Air Force retirement. Then he enrolled at UT Austin where he managed to earn three degrees within about six years including his prized MSLIS as a Records Manager which enabled him to serve that role for the State of Texas, followed by a 17-year career with National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) from which he retired in 2016 due to illness. Everyone who knew Stephen, worked with him or learned from him knew his life was about dedication, diligence and service to his country. He worked with enthusiasm and joy representing New Mexico for NARA, and his knowledge and commitment to preservation of documents was a reason he was invited by name to IAEA to visit their Vienna HQ to review various classified reports and plans.

Over his lifetime he devoted considerable time, energy and passion to the issue of passenger transportation via American railroad system by volunteering with numbers of associations and with various museums around the country, as well as actively working as a volunteer lobbyist for his community and country to protect and preserve Amtrak, which is currently under threat of service cancellation especially between Albuquerque to the Midwest and beyond.

He leaves behind a loving wife, Mimi; and five talented, wonderful siblings (Mark, Judy, Pat, Beth and Mickey) all of whom have served their country honorably. Steve is also survived by a daughter from an early marriage and her son in California.

Steve was admired, respected and loved by many dear friends and coworkers, far and wide and is greatly missed by all of us. Just a few weeks ago when asked what aspect of his life he most loved he would tell you that art was uppermost in his heart. He lived for the creative process and his painting classes. Were he present, he would offer a salute to his dearest painting instructor, Julia…spaceba tovarish!

Private services will be held in Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to either of his favored organizations: Christian Peacemaker Teams, P.O. Box 6508, Chicago, IL 60680 or Palestine Museum of Natural History Foundation, funded through Bethlehem University in Pennsylvania at http://bethlehem.edu/support/waystogive stating that it is for the Museum’s development near Bethlehem, Palestine.