Steven Weiss

Dr. Steven A. Weiss of Corrales passed away on May 17, 2018 of a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 80 years old. Dr. Weiss was born in the Bronx, NY on March 21, 1938 to George and Freda Weiss. He was the eldest of three children. After attending Rutgers University, where he studied art, Dr. Weiss entered the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He accepted a commission in the US Public Health Service after graduation and spent his career with the Indian Health Service, rising from a clinical dentist to become the Albuquerque Area Dental Director, with the rank of Captain. A mechanically gifted autodidact, Dr. Weiss pursued a number of endeavors that in other hands would be called hobbies, but that in his could only be considered acts of mastery. He learned to fly light planes, scuba dive, and hunt, to repair watches, climb mountains, and fly fish.

He became so adept at horology that he ran a small watchmaking shop out of his house for almost two decades. And his interest in fly fishing expanded to teaching fly tying and making handcrafted bamboo rods for sale.

He was generous with his knowledge, always eager to help others learn to cast, tie flies, and understand the rivers. Dr. Weiss was a past-president of New Mexico Trout and in this office worked to preserve the health of the state’s rivers and streams. In his last years, Dr. Weiss suffered from cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a manifestation of dementia, but maintained his distinctive independent character, his extensive knowledge, and his love for the fly, the rod, and the fish. Dr. Weiss was predeceased in 2013 by his wife of 53 years, Susan Weiss, widely known for her animal rights advocacy in Corrales. He was predeceased as well by his younger brother, David Weiss. He is survived by his son, Andrew, and daughter, Deborah; his sister, Susan Dogan; his granddaughters, Jordan Weiss and Louise Whiting; and his many friends in the community. The graveside service will be Friday, May 25th at 9:00 a.m. at the Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd., SE, Rio Rancho. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to New Mexico Trout.www.newmexicotrout.org