He was a very special person, a happy warrior with a sparkling wit.
Eugene Conrad Rivera age 92, passed away December 3, 2020 after a short illness. Conrad was born on November 15, 1928 in Taos New Mexico to Antonio A. and Rosenda Rivera. He was preceded in death by; his parents, and his beloved wife Eva Rivera, brothers Gilbert Rivera, Mario Rivera, Antonio A. Rivera Jr., Severo Martinez, Manuel Martinez and Patrocino Martinez. His sisters Cordy Conley, and Servilia Quintana.
Despite being underage, Conrad enlisted in the Navy at the tail end of WWII where he served aboard ship as a fireman and later cook. He joined the Army in 1950 and was a highly decorated veteran of the Korean War, where he proudly served with the 8th Ranger Company (Airborne). In 2013, Conrad was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Conrad worked for Southwest Distributors, retail and for the State of New Mexico. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman spending countless hours fishing and boating in the lakes and streams of Northern New Mexico. Beloved by his family and friends Conrad enjoyed cooking, singing and telling stories about his childhood in Taos, Chama and El Rito where he attended school and where his mother worked. His wonderful sense of humor and mastery of the spoken word added gusto to his stories and jokes.
He is survived by his Granddaughter Tiffany Cross, his sister in-law Epi Lemons & Yoli Roe, his fellow Rangers Nick Tisak and Bob Black, close friends including Christine Mann, Loren (aka Billy from Pecos) and Valarie Vigil, Kelley and Sachi Koehler, Kenneth Martinez and several nephews and nieces. He will be missed by many more relatives and friends.
Services will be held at a later date due to COVID 19.
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About |
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| Name | Eugene Conrad Rivera |
| Date of Birth | November 15th, 1928 |
| Date of Death | December 3rd, 2020 |
| Home Town | Taos, NM, US |
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Memorial |
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| Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Santa Fe | |
| Cemetery | Santa Fe National Cemetery | |
| Address |
501 North Guadalupe Street Santa Fe NM 87501 United States |
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| Location | Columbarium Niche | |
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Family |
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| Significant Other | Eva Rivera |
| Siblings | Antonio A. Rivera Jr., Cordelia Rivera - Cornely, Gilbert Rivera, Manuel Martinez, Mario Rivera, Patrocino Martinez, Servilia Quintana, Severo Martinez |
| Parents | Antonio Avan Rivera, Rosenda Gallegos |
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Milestones |
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| 1939 | World War (Navy) | ||
| 1950 | Korean War (Army) | ||
| 1987 | The Forgotten War. Book by Clair Blair | ||
| 1996 | Rangers Lead the Way. Book by Thomas Taylor & Robert J. Martin | ||
| 1998 | Inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame | ||
| 1998 | Rangers honor heroes 'cut from the same cloth' Article in the Ledger Enquirer | ||
| 2007 | A Ranger is Born: A memoir of Combat & Valor from Korea to Vietnam. Book by Robert W. Black | ||
| 2013 | "The blood is the same": Six decades later, Korea vets bond over emotional mission. Article by NBC News | ||
| 2014 | "Film Honors Korean War Participants" Article in Albuquerque Journal | ||
| 2014 | "The Forgotten War" Documentary honors Korean War Participants. Article in Santa Fe Journal | ||
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published a tribute .
So Sorry to hear of my Uncle Conrad passing. I remember going to his house (s) on los pandos in Taos. my parents liked to go play cards there. I would look at his trophys until I fell asleep. I had his reqinta guitar and it always reminded me of him. sing on uncle!
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published a tribute .
Uncle Conrad you will truly be missed! Loved spending time with you in the summers riding on The Ayunita Boat and you teaching me how to water ski. I will never forget all of your stories and how proud you were being inducted into the Airborne Ranger HOF! May you Rest In Peace and Thank You for your service..:
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published a tribute .
Mi Tio Conrad was a very special guy to me. Spent many hours with him and Uncle Tony (Antonio A, Jr.) fishing, singing and telling tall tales. Thank you for your extraordinary service in Korea.
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published a tribute .
I remember Tio singing on a night drive to El Rito. He had a beautiful voice. RIP Tio
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published a tribute .
You will be missed. I will always remember the stories you told me. Thank you for your service.
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published a tribute .
May our dear Conrad rest in peace; his voice, wit and stories will be in our memories always. He was always proud of his faithful service to our country, and acted bravely when he needed to take action to help his fellow soldiers to see another day. Go with God.
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