Walter C. Haussamen

HAUSSAMEN - Walter C. Haussamen, born in El Paso, TX on May 28, 1916, died in Albuquerque, New Mexico on November 20, 2009. Although he was born in Texas, he lived all of his 93 years in Albuquerque. He had a lifelong interest in photography and was a master at restoration of old, historic photos and worked many hours in his darkroom. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1933, then went to Denver College of Pharmacy for three months and apprenticed for four years under his father before he became a licensed pharmacist. He took over management of the family store, The Modern Pharmacy, which his father opened in 1931, when his father became too ill to work. In 1963 he closed the business to pursue other interests - photographing New Mexico and Colorado and writing for Outdoor Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and Sunset Magazine. Then in 1970 he became an agent for John Hancock Life and enjoyed that work until he retired. He then worked full-time on photography. His greatest love was the out-of-doors -- fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking and communing with his God on a high mountain peak. He loved New Mexico history and studied it all of his life. His family roots go back to the 1880s, when his grandfather, Ben Williams, was an undersheriff to Pat Garrett in the time of Billy the Kid. He leaves his wife Frances of 61 years, three children, Shari Lewis; Walter Jr. and wife, Carol; and daughter Amy Buckman and husband, Bob; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren and twin great grandsons due in the spring. At his request, there will be no service. His family plans to gather in the spring to celebrate his life.