The Leonard R. Sugerman Press

Len Sugerman; friend and mentor passed away Friday July 7^th, 2006, 86 years of age.

I met Len standing in a queue for dinner at a navigation industry conference in Colorado Springs, 1989. The effect was instant; something like plugging into a lightening storm with sparks of fun and like mindedness flashing between us both. We became instant friends and he set about what I learned was his chosen task of introducing me to everyone he felt would be of use to my ongoing efforts to succeed in what I was trying to do. I soon knew that I was not the only recipient of his wonderful way of helping those he chose to lend a hand to; often meeting another that would smile knowingly at his way of holding ones elbow as he would steer you towards another contact target.

His amazing energy was legendary. He never seemed to flag and the idea of giving up was not something he would ever consider. He never gave up on me even though my slow progress was entirely the product of my own stubborn refusal to do things any way but my own. And that is the truth of him as a friend, he accepted you for what you were rather than what he might have wished you had been. Total selflessness; he was your friend and you always knew that was what was important to him. That nothing else mattered more.

I am but one of the many that knew of him and his way of friendship. My life has been forever changed by knowing him and I am sure I am right to say that we all carry the responsibility to carry on his good work of friendship as he demonstrated to us, every day we knew him. Now I understand why archeologists find, from time to time, a burial site with offerings that show the respect given to whomever has fallen in times past; the precious gifts were their way of showing their respect for someone who stood out from the crowd. But Len will not want to be remembered with gifts of value buried with him. Instead, we can all value his memory by helping anyone else we come into contact with that will in turn prosper and move forward from that friendship.

On the 2^nd June, 2006 I wrote to Len saying:

“Len, none of this would have ever seen the light of day without your continuous unstinting support for me. Thank you seems too small a gift in return. Perhaps the best reward will be that your name will forever be cited as an example of one of the finest mentors this planet has ever seen. By your example and fortitude, great strides will have been achieved that otherwise would never have been brought to the understanding of the human mind. Yes, and that could have been said of you a decade before I ever met you.”

May you rest in peace friend for the memory of your love and fortitude will live forever.

Chris Coles.

NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY HOTLINE EXTRA -- JULY 7, 2006

Len Sugerman, aerospace advocate and tireless volunteer, dies at 86

Retired Air Force Col. Leonard R. "Len" Sugerman, who joined New Mexico State University's Physical Science Laboratory in 1977 and remained a tireless volunteer and advocate for high-tech education and economic development, died Thursday at the age of 86 at his home in Las Cruces. "Len died as he would have wished, with his boots on," said Patricia Hynes, director of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium. "He was at home, in the community he loved, and he was busy until the end."

Sugerman was a key supporter of the development of the Southwest Regional Spaceport. Hynes said arrangements have been made for a commemorative plaque in Sugerman's honor to be carried on the first rocket to be launched from the spaceport. UP Aerospace Inc. is scheduled to launch a single-stage rocket on Aug. 14.

"NMSU, this community and indeed the state lost a truly valued friend," said NMSU President Michael Martin. "The phrase 'one of a kind' most certainly applies to Dr. -- Colonel -- Len Sugerman. No one cared more or participated more passionately in the life of this community than him. He was a great friend to me personally. We will miss him every day." Because of Sugerman's support for the Space Grant program and related activities, the consortium's building on the NMSU campus was dedicated as the Sugerman Space Grant Building in October 2004. In December of the same year, he received an honorary doctorate from NMSU in recognition of his contributions as a military leader, university administrator and civic volunteer.

As a community volunteer for more than 25 years, Sugerman focused his efforts on programs to prepare youth for high-tech careers and to create high-tech jobs in southern New Mexico. He was an active member of the New Mexico Academy of Science, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and the United Nations Association. Sugerman co-founded the High Tech Consortium of Southern New Mexico and the Southwest Space Task Force. The Getz Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Donations may be made to the NMSU Foundation for the New Mexico Space Grant Leonard R. Sugerman Endowment, P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003.