Claude James Phene

On March 10, 2025, Claude James Phene passed away in Santa Fe, NM. He was the loving husband of Rebecca (Becky) Chavez Phene, and cherished father of James, Robert (Filomena), Michelle (Andy McKeller), Phillip (Rachel), Marcelle (Timothy Fischer) and Daniel.

Born July 11, 1933 near Bordeaux, France to Marcelle Sarah (Lowenberger) and Rolland Phene, Claude had one younger brother, Jacques (Danielle), born February 1935. He is survived by all of these mentioned as well as by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Claude spent his formative years growing up in Bordeaux, tragically interrupted by WWII and the deportation of his mother and grandmother when he was 10 years old. His paternal grandmother (Catholic) hid Claude and Jacques in a small village outside of Bordeaux, where they were often left alone. Following the war, Claude returned to Bordeaux and completed secondary school and studied for his Bar-Mitzvah. Later he worked for the U.S. Army in France as a translator where he met Elizabeth Murphy, the daughter of a U.S. Army Chief Master Sargeant. In 1955, Claude immigrated to the U.S. and married Elizabeth a year later. They had 4 children: James, Robert, Michelle and Phillip. During that time, Claude joined the US Air Force and was stationed at George AFB, Victorville, CA; he then worked at Kaiser Steel and went back to school, as his interest in Soils developed, he took a job at USDA-ARS at the US Salinity Lab in Riverside. He received a BA in Physics and a PhD in Soil Science (1970), both from the University of California, Riverside.

Beginning an illustrious career in Agricultural and Water research, Claude was transferred to Florence, SC for 8 years, then to Fresno CA and the Water Management Research Lab (1978), where he worked until his retirement from USDA in 1994. He pioneered much of the work in drip irrigation, and particularly in subsurface drip irrigation for commercial agriculture. His colleagues referred to Claude as visionary, forward looking, way ahead of his time; and how he forged ahead when others said it was not worthwhile, having later to admit that Claude proved them wrong!

In 1983, Claude married Becky and they later welcomed Marcelle and Daniel to the Phene family. In “retirement”, he consulted for growers, irrigation companies and others for nearly 20 years. Claude loved jazz and saw live concerts by Sidney Bechet, Lionel Hampton and Louis Armstrong while still in France. He raced cars as a young man and later enjoyed coaching his kids in sports, listening to Marcelle and Daniel play jazz, the beaches, boating, deep sea fishing, as well as many desert locales. He traveled all over the world mostly to consult or present his research, but also to see friends and family.

In 2018, he and Becky moved to Santa Fe and joined Grace Community Church as Covid let up in early 2022. He finally retired and enjoyed more live jazz, local adventures and excursions, the crystal clear blue skies of northern NM and many new friends.

"You can honor the memory of Claude Phene by making a tribute donation to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Your gift will help preserve the history of the Holocaust and support the Museum’s mission to educate future generations. To donate in his memory, please visit: https://donate.ushmm.org/x4jZ-1q91E-sMGxm460upw2."