Beryl D. Steuart

Beryl Denning Steuart, 87, passed away at home on Saturday, June 27, 2008. Beryl was born in Rupert, Idaho on Sept. 25, 1921 to Samuel and Alberta Denning Steuart. He grew up and graduated from high school in Heyburn, Idaho and was valedictorian of his class. Beryl graduated from the University of Oregon and entered the Army Air Corps, 409th Bomber Group, 641st Squardon. He served in the US Army Air Corps from May 1944 to March 1946 as a Bomber Pilot earning him a EAME Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Ribbon with Bronze Star to EAME Ribbon for service in Germany. Beryl flew bombing missions over North Africa during WWII.

After the War, Beryl received a Master's Degree from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and spoke French fluently. Beryl took a job with Air France and served in Paris and New York handling travel arrangements for VIPs who traveled with that airline until his retirement.

In 1984 Beryl retired to New Mexico with his partner of 55 years, Leo Trujillo where they re-opened the Chimayo Trading Post located at the Y in Espanola. Beryl is preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Bert. He is survived by his partner Leo Trujillo, Beryl's sister Roberta Steuart Nelson, and husband Orvall of Spokane, Washington, niece, Rebecca Lucke, and nephew, Samuel Nelson also of Spokane, Washington, and Stanley Steuart of San Francisco, California, as well as several great nieces and nephews, and his care-givers Amalia and Ricardo Valencia.

A gathering of remembrance will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Block-Salazar Mortuary with interment to take place at 1:00 pm at The Santa Fe National Cemetery.