Eugene Rivera

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.