Steve Hinton

First experienced Taos as a beautiful rural community in 1957 while driving his motorcycle across country. He settled here in 1962 with his wife Carol, their son and a bun in the oven. They resonated with the beautiful lands and vibrant cultures of Northern New Mexico, and Ranchos became their home as their family grew. In 1969, they bought land in Lama and built a house, one hand-made adobe at a time. Steve felled each viga for the ceiling and crafted their home with love and artistry. He was a jack of all trades, and a master stone mason specializing in building fireplaces. Everyone who knew Steve can attest to his wonderful sense of humor and laid-back outlook on life. He was an armchair philosopher with an inquisitive mind, an expert on a wide range of subjects, and never short on stories to tell, nor time to tell them. He is well known for his heroic efforts to save his home during the Hondo Fire of 1996. He refused to evacuate the land when the raging forest fire came through from San Cristobal. He, with the help of Scott Machardy, kept his son’s house from burning, and managed to rescue many of his vehicles from the blaze. He saved himself by rolling in the acequia as the fire raged past. Unfortunately, the family home was lost. It was eventually rebuilt, and that is where Steve died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on March 21, 2022. Steven Wattley Hinton was born on September 27, 1937 in Mexico City, Mexico. He was raised by his parents, George Boole Hinton and Victoria Stevens in Northern Mexico and was inspired by his relatives, many of whom were well-known botanists, physicists, mathematicians, miners, and adventurers. He attended the Putney School, started by his cousin Carmelita Hinton, in Putney, Vermont. Later, he continued his education, work and life experiences in Santa Barbara and San Francisco, California before finding his way to New Mexico. Steve is preceded in death by his son Byron Hinton, and survived by his sisters, Joan Hurd and Lorna Kepes; his wife Carol Hinton; and children Aleko Frankman, Jessica Hinton-Hazlett, Miles Hinton, Jenna May Hinton, and Sonya Luz Hinton Costanza. His legacy includes loving grandchildren, nephews, nieces and extended family. May his journey continue in peace and love. Blessings to dearly beloved Estevan. Please send stories and photos to sonyaluz@yahoo.com. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com