Carl Raymond Riley

1935-2021

Carl Raymond Riley, 86, left this good earth peacefully at home in Socorro, New Mexico on November 12, 2021.

Carl was born September 26, 1935, at home in Dallas, Texas to Charles and Mogie Riley during the height of the depression. His father was a talented upholsterer and growing up Carl helped out reupholstering and refinishing furniture.

In 1954, Carl joined the Air Force and trained as an electronic technician, maintaining airborne electronics on USAF aircraft. After assignment to Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, Carl met Caroline Lentz, a student at the University of Alaska, while roller skating at the local rink.  He proposed on Valentine’s Day and Caroline became his wife and partner in a great life adventure for 66 years.

Carl’s career in electronics spanned several decades working as senior engineer and maintenance supervisor for LTV, Kentron International, NASA, Hughes Avionics and the European Space Agency. Carl was involved in building the NASA space backpack for walks in space, thermal imaging devices for the MI Tank, worked as a blockhouse tech at Cape Kennedy, and extensive management at satellite tracking stations across the United States.

After retirement, Carl became a prolific and creative writer of over 100 science fiction and western adventure novels which he loved to share with others. His other hobbies included jewelry working, lapidary, coin collecting, gold panning, metal detecting and hunting for rocks.

Carl passed his love of adventure and travel on to his family and is survived by his wife Caroline, daughter Kelly (Zane), son William (Caroline), grandchildren Glen, Erin and Alan, great-granddaughter Aleah and brother Harvey.

Carl left a legacy of life and adventure to everyone he met, and he will be greatly missed.

 

 

El Defensor Chieftain