Gretchen Anna Brockfeld

Gretchen Anna Brockfeld of Angel Fire, New Mexico passed away on Wednesday, August 27, surrounded by loved ones, family and friends and her beloved dog, Lucy. She was preceded in death by her parents, David Brockfeld and Sally Brockfeld nee Boeger, both of Warrenton, Missouri. She is survived by her brother Paul (Teresa) Brockfeld, her brother Karl (Helen) Brockfeld, brother Rudolph (Gretchen) Brockfeld and her sister Erika (Terry) McClure, and her nieces and nephews.

Gretchen was born May 13, 1968 in Washington, Missouri. She graduated from Warren County R-3 High School in 1986.

She then attended University of Missouri at Rolla, majoring in Aerospace Engineering, while attending Air Force ROTC. Brockfeld graduated in December, 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. She later earned an MBA in Finance from Wright State University in Ohio and a Master of Science, Engineering Mechanics, from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Gretchen served honorably for twenty-one years. Her first assignment at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH was in the Air Force Research Laboratory. Her favorite duty assignment was being stationed in Germany for three years at Ramstein Air Base. She retired Sept. 30, 2012 as a Lieutenant Colonel from her last duty assignment as an Air Force ROTC Commander at Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Gretchen’s passion for the Girl Scouts of America continued throughout her Air Force career and afterwards. She served as a Troop Leader, Girl Scout Trainer, Outdoor Leader and most recently, as the Canoeing and Orienteering Instructor at the Elliott Barker Girl Scout Camp in Angel Fire.

She found her true passion during Covid when she started culinary school at UNM Taos where, after just one semester, she was hired as a Baking Instructor. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Gretchen loved hiking in the mountains around Angel Fire with her dog, Lucy.

She is grateful for all the friends and found family that she has collected along her journey. She is especially grateful for the love and support from her sister, Erika and brother-in-law, Terry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UNM Cancer Center General Support Fund, Two Woodward Place, 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 108, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or through the website, UNMFund.org. Donations to Girl Scout Troop 7080 can be sent c/o Bethamy Barringer, 2619 Los Pinos Rd. SW Albuquerque, NM 87105.