James Marion Bunch

1934 - 2019

James Marion Bunch obituary, 1934-2019, Los Alamos, NM

James Bunch Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 28 to Sep. 11, 2019.

James Marion Bunch was born April 23, 1934, in Hastings, NE. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 20, 2019 at age 85. After graduating from Hastings High School in 1952, he married Elayne Grothen in 1954 and completed his BA in physics with a math minor at Hastings College in 1956. They had two children, Robyn and John. Jim completed his PhD in solid state physics at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1967. Then the family moved to Los Alamos where Jim was a staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory. From 1981-1985, he was a process engineer at Mostek, a semiconductor manufacturing company in Colorado Springs, CO; and then he returned to LANL. He met his second wife, Karen, at Stockton Folk Dance Camp in CA in 1987 and married her in a garden wedding in Klamath Falls, OR two years later. He helped raise her two children, Lisa and Greg in Los Alamos. His work at LANL focused on engineering and applied physics activities in support of weapons and fusion energy projects until his retirement in 1993.
When he wasn't working, Jim loved the outdoors especially hiking, skiing, biking, camping and traveling with Karen in their RV to the Pacific Northwest. Always a woodworker, he remodeled his houses and built workshops for special projects. As an avid reader, he spent hours researching topics and reading his Kindle. Music was another passion. He played violin and viola in the Los Alamos Symphony and Santa Fe Community Orchestra for several years and built three harpsichords and a hammered dulcimer. He was always good at finding ways to make things work. Jim and Karen enjoyed recreational folk dancing in groups in Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque and performed for various cultural events. Ham Radio was a fun diversion; he chatted with folks across the world. Jim was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos and later joined St. Paul Lutheran Church when he and Karen moved to Albuquerque in 2005.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Erma Bunch, his first wife, Elayne, and his brother-in-law, Philip Hanson. He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Robyn Petersen; son, John Bunch (Mary), all of Albuquerque, NM; step-daughter, Lisa Mansfield (Bruce), Anthem, AZ; and step-son, Greg Fitch (Laura), Houston, TX. He was proud of his grandchildren: Brett Petersen, Albuquerque, NM; Brad Petersen (Gene Powell), Bush, LA; Jimmy Bunch, Lubbock, TX; Kate Bunch-Sutton (Hunter), Virginia Beach, VA; Michael and Laurie Mansfield, Anthem, AZ, and his great-grandson, Adrian Petersen, Albuquerque, NM. He is also survived by his lap dog, Sophie.
The family wishes to thank Corus Home Health, Corus Health Hospice, and Nurturing Hearts Assisted Living house caregivers who provided support and loving comfort. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 6 at 11 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Animal Humane New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, or a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for James Bunch

What is your first memory of James?

Share a favorite memory you have of James.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with James.

Describe a time when James made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about James?

Talk about a shared experience you had with James.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of James.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving James.

What is something you learned from James?

Not sure what to say?

1 Entry

September 5, 2019

Kimberly Grothen

Posted by Kimberly Grothen

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in James Bunch's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for James Bunch

Sep

6

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

St. Paul Lutheran Church

1100 Indian School Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM

How to support James's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor James Bunch's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more