Franklin Naivar

Franklin J. Naivar, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, died peacefully in his sleep on March 31, 2023. 

Franklin was born August 11, 1940, to Leo W. and Annie (Svrcek) Naivar, In Taylor, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his parents Leo W. and Annie Naivar, his wife of almost 56 years, Aloma (Eiben) Naivar, daughter Julianne Marie Naivar, and brother Thomas Naivar.

He was raised on the family farm near Granger, Texas.  He was a graduate of St, Mary's High School.  Immediately after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was a reactor operator on the fast attack submarine USS Barb SSN-596. On November 11, 1964, he married the love of his life,  Aloma Marie Eiben, his gift from God.

He served for seven years in the U.S.  Navy prior to his employment at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  At LANL he worked briefly as a reactor operator on the Omega West Reactor in Los Alamos canyon before attending the University of Texas in Austin.  Thanks to the GI Bill and Aloma working fulltime as an RN he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering before returning to employment at LAMPF for almost 30 years at LANL.

Franklin was active in scouting, loved sailing at Heron Lake, and RVing in pursuit of warm places in the winter. He also enjoyed camping with friends like Ken and Hazel Kutac of Los Alamos. Frank and Ken were Boy Scout Masters and did a lot of hiking together. The whole family was blessed to have them caring for him in their home at the end of his days. 

He is survived by his three sons, Chris, Mark (Jennifer), and Steve, his granddaughter Laura Naivar, sisters Dorothy Nipper and Barbara Buratti.

There will be a memorial Mass on Thursday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Alamos, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Frank's remains will be interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 17th next to his wife.

The family requests donations be made to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. A special thank you goes to Los Alamos Visiting Nurses, and especially Jack, for their loving care and support to Frank.

Please leave messages for friends and family here, along with any pictures or stories in Frank's memory. 

Rivera Funeral Home of Los Alamos is blessed to have the duty of honoring Franklin's wishes to host a beautiful memorial the folks who loved him.