September 2021

Katherine Cosandey Snook, wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully Aug. 10 at her Alpine home, surrounded by family. Katherine was 92, and would have celebrated 72 years of marriage with Don on Aug. 14. Her life was commemorated at a ceremony on Aug. 20, 2021, at Don and Katherine’s house.

New Zealander Alan Maxwell, 94, was a man of science, a citizen of the world, and a loyal West Texan. He died Aug. 22, 2021, in San Diego, Calif. He was born in 1926 to Arthur and Ellen Maxwell of Auckland, New Zealand.

Bryan Hobson Wildenthal of Dallas, Texas, died on Sept. 4, 2021, at the age of 83, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Adele; five children and their spouses, Rebecca Wildenthal, Bryan H. Wildenthal II (Ashish Agrawal), Lora Wildenthal (Carl Caldwell), Kerry Wildenthal Fagelman (Michael Fagelman), and Andrea Wildenthal Hanson (Clay Hanson); five grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

Modesto Espinoza, a lifelong resident of Alpine, Texas, closed his eyes to his earthly home on Sept. 8, 2021, at Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine with his beloved family by his side. He was 94.

Lewis James “Skip” Kennamer of Alpine, Texas, passed away on Aug. 21, 2021, following a series of strokes and massive heart failure.

Long time Pecos, Texas, resident Paul A. Gerbert, 81, left this world Sept.

Big Bend Chamber of Commerce met for its annual membership and board meeting in Big Bend National Park on Sept. 9. The meeting was held in the outdoor amphitheater at Chisos Basin, and catered by the park lodge. Entrance to the park was free for those attending.

City of Alpine code enforcement issues affecting county jurisdiction was the main topic of discussion at the Brewster County Commissioners Court regular meeting on Sept. 8. Commissioner, Pct. 3, Ruben Ortega was absent.

A triangle flag and a wreath honor those lost on Sept. 11, 2001 at the 20th Anniversary Memorial ceremony Saturday at the Alpine Border Patrol Station. The Alpine Station has a direct connection to the terrorist attacks on 9/11 as there was a groundbreaking ceremony that fateful day for the station building. Ten years later a memorial using a large piece of steel from the World Trade Center Towers was erected at the station. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich

Hometown boy and law enforcement veteran Darrell Losoya recently took over the position of chief at Alpine Police Department. Born and raised in Alpine, he played football at Alpine High School, and calls himself “a Buck through and through.” After high school graduation in 1989, Losoya joined the U.S.