Paul Krispinsky

Dr. Paul J. Krispinsky, 79, of Taos, New Mexico, passed away on April 17, 2024, at his beloved home surrounded by family and his cat Rocky. Paul lived with pancreatic cancer for 11 months prior to his passing and will be greatly missed.

Born to Paul and Anna Krispinsky in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1944, and into a family of steel mill workers and farmers, Paul was the oldest of five children in a close-knit Slovak family.  

Paul’s love for playing football propelled him to attend Heidelberg University. While in college, Paul’s interest in medicine was sparked, leading him to attend dental school at Loyola University in Chicago. His fondness for the mountain states and passion to serve drove him to pursue a career with the Indian Health Service as a Commissioned Corps Officer. He arrived in New Mexico in 1973. He felt blessed to have had such a wonderful career caring for people from the Taos, Picuris, Laguna, Acoma, and other Pueblos for over twenty years. He also enjoyed the opportunity to work in private practice for many years, serving the broader Taos community.

New Mexico cultivated Paul’s passion for the outdoors. His love of skiing, hiking, bicycling, and running was well known. He had a boundless appreciation for the splendor of nature. Paul was always curious and found joy in learning about anything and everything. He adored astronomy, archeology, landscaping, birding, animals, and adventuring across the United States—including Alaska and Canada—in an off-road Sportsmobile with his life-partner, Debbie. Paul instilled these enchantments and values in his children and grandchildren.

Paul loved trying new foods and could not get enough of his favorite foods. Despite being a dentist, he had quite the sweet tooth. Paul will be remembered for his kind blue eyes, warm smile, and gorgeous mane of hair. He was inspiring, compassionate, genuine, and dedicated to those he met in life. He had a quiet and contemplative demeanor. Paul was proudest of being a father and being Dzedo to his grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his three children, Sean (Rebekah), Megan (Rebecca McSorley), and Natalya (Marc Wilke); life and adventure partner of the last 25 years Deborah Neilson; grandchildren/step-grandchildren Ana, Ivan, Isaac, Logan, and Dustin; his brothers and sisters, Mary Ann Krispinsky, Rita Lombardo (Joe, children Joe and Alicia), Tom Krispinsky (Maria, children/step-children TJ and Kara), and Steve Krispinsky (Patti, children Michael and Kelly); and former wife, Carol Hartwood. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Paul Krispinsky, and his beloved nephew, Danny Krispinsky.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the Taos Pueblo nonprofit, Working on Wellness, and the Charles N. Romero Snow Sports Program in support of Taos Pueblo youth engagement in winter sports, or to Taos Feral Feline Friends. Donations can be made using the links below.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM at the Stakeout. 

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit their website at www.riverafuneralhome.com.