Timothy (Tim) Thomas Fife, PE, PMP, SCPM, 72, of White Rock, NM passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in his home, surrounded by loved ones on August 30, 2026. Tim faced the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia with grace and strength, never losing his ability to recognize friends and family. If he heard their voice, he knew their name and shared a smile or laugh.
Tim was born in Telluride, CO to Thomas “Tom” and Dorothy “Nan” Fife. At age 2, they moved to Grants, NM. At 14, at a dance in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, Tim met the love of his life and future wife, Judith “Judy” Holmberg. They graduated from Grants High School, attended separate colleges, reunited in Colorado, married, and were never apart again. They made their permanent home in White Rock, NM and welcomed their dearly loved son, Evan, into the world. Tim assisted with local youth and church programs, taught patiently and shared wise life and career advice. A gifted stone and wood artist, he also excelled at composing poetry and prose, had a witty sense of humor, and told great jokes. In his Bio for a Fuller Lodge Duck Carving exhibit, he said, “I have been interested in carving from an early age with “Geppetto” as my role model.” then added thoughtfully, “Inspiration is a personal insight constrained by the dimensions of the block of wood.” An avid History and Science Fiction reader, he carved two tiny mice named “42” which, naturally, is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life the Universe and Everything. Tim was highly intelligent, extremely humble, actually quite shy, wise, diligent, kind, responsible, honorable, gentle, caring, loving, physically strong and graceful, a responsible employee and a loyal friend, but his highest priority was his family; a devoted husband and father who faithfully provided for, protected and deeply loved his wife and son.
Tim earned his BSME in 1975 at New Mexico State University and obtained post graduate education in Arctic Engineering, Leadership Development, and Stanford University/UCLA Advanced Project Management.
From 1975 to 1985, Tim’s career included roles as a back-up Test Conductor, Systems Engineer, and Natural Gas Piping Engineer. During this time, he worked for his father in Uranium In-Situ Leaching and designed piping systems for a major petrochemical project on Alaska’s North Slope.
Beginning in 1985, Tim proudly devoted his distinguished thirty-year career to serving the U.S. Nuclear Weapons Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). He served in numerous technical and leadership roles, including Mechanical Engineer, Field Engineer, Systems Engineer, Deputy Group Leader, Deputy Project Director, Program Manager, and Senior Technical Advisor.
Tim was among the relatively few individuals whose career spanned LANL’s Weapons Program Design Agency, Production Agency, and Experimental Programs portfolios, honorably serving as both a technical contributor and leader. He was deeply respected by his colleagues for his technical acumen, matter of fact, no-nonsense approach, his personable nature, and, above all, his willingness to serve and contribute. Through his example and leadership, Tim positively influenced generations of technologists, engineers, scientists, leaders, and managers at LANL.
Tim was a trusted and respected patriot, friend, colleague, and leader – a truly one-of-a-kind individual. His contributions and influence will endure in the people and programs he helped support and shape. He will be greatly missed. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas “Tom” and Dorothy “Nan” Fife and loved ones, Frank (Zoila) Holmberg, Marcia Alban-Holmberg, Stephanie Newby-Holmberg. He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Evan (Dacia); brother, Keith (Laura); John, Harold (Barbara), Jon (Beth), Mike (Alli), Lee Holmberg; Angela (Cody) Minium; Pam, Jessica, Julie (Nial), Scott Fife; Brady, Parker Hanson; and sweet children.
A celebration of Tim’s life will be October 10, 12:00 pm at White Rock Baptist Church, 80 State Road 4, White Rock, NM and a reception will follow. The service will be streamed: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteRockBaptistChurchNM/streams
Thank you to all who prayed especially Pastor Marshall Cook and staff; WRBC congregation; those who sent cards, wrote notes, and called and the following who compassionately and lovingly assisted in Tim’s hands-on care: Judy, Evan, Keith, Laura and Pam Fife; Angela Minium; David and Casey Hodgson; Michelle Carter; Dr. John Adair; Amber Care Hospice nurses Marq, Jaime and Donna; Amber Pope and Rivera Family Funeral Home of Los Alamos.
Memorial gifts may be made in Tim’s name to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite 105, Lilburn, GA 30047, https://lbda.org/ or a charity of your choice.
The Rivera Family Funeral Home of Los Alamos had the honor of serving Tim. Please visit www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com to share memories, condolences, and photos for the family.