Obituaries
Antonio C’de Baca, La Cienega, Jan. 5
William “Bill” Haywood Edwards, 79, Jan. 3
Randall R. Lutz, Jan. 12
Mara Robinson
WILLIAM (BILL) HAYWOOD EDWARDS
William (Bill) Haywood Edwards passed away and made the journey to be with his Creator on January 3, 2021 in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 79. Bill was born on May 1, 1941 at Harlem Hospital in New York City, NY. He grew up in the Bronx and attended Catholic school and public school until the age of 17 when he decided to enlist in the United States Army. Bill was a member of the XVIII Airborne, 50th Signal Battalion “A” company and proudly served from 1958 to 1962. Later, he spent time in San Francisco, CA and eventually settled in Taos, NM.
His life in New Mexico offered new opportunities and he became a certified welder by taking classes at a local community college. He joined the Iron Workers Local 495 and became a Journeyman Ironworker. He spent time working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and many other locations throughout New Mexico. Eventually his skills would take him to Las Vegas, NV where he worked on many of the hotels and casinos on the strip today. After surviving a career ending 3 story fall, Bill re-tooled and learned website development and grant writing. He was able to use these newly obtained skills to find work on the Navajo Nation where he resided for the last 14 years of his life.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Purnell and Lucy Edwards; brother, Steven Edwards and son, Levaniel Herder. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Rena Edwards of Leupp, AZ; siblings, Essie Byrd (Jerry) of Santa Fe, NM; and Reverend Percell Edwards of Maryland; children, David Edwards (Annie) of Santa Fe, NM; Kareem Edwards (Mary Jo) of Santa Fe, NM; Sabra Edwards (Johnny) of Albuquerque, NM; and Yussef Edwards (Angela) of Espanola, NM; Don Wofford of Hawaii, Tony Edwards of Las Cruces, NM; and Lucy Candelaria (Rudy) of Aurora, CO; Melissa Mascarena of Albuquerque, NM; Shawn Topaum of Las Vegas, NM; Mattie Henderson (Michael) of Albuquerque, NM; Marie Yazzi of Aurora, CO; Andre Topaum of Aurora, CO; Kristopher Herder of Winslow, AZ; and Lynold Herder of Winslow, AZ; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill found spirituality and a connection to his Creator in the Native American Church where he dedicated most of his life to understanding and participating in the ceremonies and traditions of the church. He spoke fluent Navajo and was granted rare opportunities and designations within the Native community. He attended Sundance ceremonies, led sweat lodge ceremonies, and tee-pee ceremonies on a regular basis as part of his dedication to the church. Bill was a talented silversmith and created many beautiful pieces of jewelry. He took pleasure in growing his own food, raising livestock, and living a simple life of sustainability. He was intense and passionate most of the time but never passed up an opportunity to tell a good story and make people laugh. He will be missed by many.
Services for Bill took place on January 8, 2021 and was laid to rest at Camp Navajo Veterans Cemetery in Bellemont, AZ. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a limited number of people were able to attend.
IN MEMORIAM RANDALL R. LUTZ
It is with profound sadness that the Santa Fe Opera mourns the passing of beloved friend and colleague Randall R. Lutz on January 12 after a brief and unexpected illness. Randy’s service to the opera spans 42 years, during which he worked in eight different roles including as a Scenic Carpenter, Props Run Crew Chief, Rental Manager, and since 1993, Properties Director.
A native of Pennsylvania, Randy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bloomsburg State College with a focus in scenic carpentry. His first summer season with the Santa Fe Opera was in 1979 and after three seasons he moved to Santa Fe full-time. He and Santa Fe Opera Founder John Crosby were personal friends and Randy was generous in sharing stories of their time working together. Randy also had film experience and worked with the Santa Fe Festival Theater. In addition to Randy’s professional mastery, he was a creative and loving soul with deeply held spiritual beliefs and served as a Priest at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church.
Randy’s artistic talents, energy, and vibrant personality will be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His eagerness to share his wisdom and encourage aspiring artisans to perfect their craft has left an indelible mark on the Santa Fe Opera and the wider opera world.
We extend our deepest and most profound sympathies to Randy’s mother Margaret Haas and other family members, his friends, and industry colleagues. The Santa Fe Opera will forever cherish Randy’s memory and his enduring legacy.
Susan F. Morris, Honorary Chairman Susan G. Marineau, Chairman David Henry Jacobs, President Robert K. Meya, General Director
MARA ROBINSON 1929–2020 A Great Friend of Music in Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Board of Trustees and Management express their condolences to the family of Mara Robinson following her passing late last month.
Mara served on the Board of Trustees from 1979 to 1982, and with her husband, Charles Robinson, attended Festival concerts for decades. For their longtime support of the Festival and other Santa Fe cultural institutions, Mara and Chuck received the Festival’s Gifford Phillips Award in 2012. Mara will be missed for her inimitable style and her steadfast and resolute interest in the music and arts of our community.