BERNICE "PETE" POWDRELL, the founder of Powdrell's BBQ and affectionately referred to as Mr. Powdrell throughout the New Mexico community departed from us in December of 2007, at the age of 86. The life he shared with us will always shine brightly in our hearts and his place in history has been etched in the spirit of a land renowned for its enchantment.
His son, Joe Powdrell, said that his father's life was as a stone that is tossed into a pond, it creates ripples that reach far beyond the location of entry.
According to Joe the ripples closest to the stone's entry represents the immediate family, the ripples formed farthest from the entry represents the lives that will be touched by the examples of the life that he lived, and the ripples in between are the lives that have been enriched by this great mans legacy.
Truly Mr. Pete Powdrell's life, extended far beyond his entry point in 1962 when Albuquerque inherited a treasure in the form of a renaissance family headed by Pete and Catherine Powdrell.
It's impossible to talk about Mr. Pete Powdrell without acknowledging his lifelong companion of 65 years, Mrs. Catherine who preceded him on their journey to be with their heavenly father.
Mr. Powdrell's life represented honor for God, an extraordinary love for his family, and a great respect for everyone he would meet. He attached his life to the principles of honesty, integrity, loyalty and consistency.
Pete Powdrell loved people, and "How ya'll doing" was his welcoming call and his large but comforting hands sealed the deal assuring you that your visit with him and his restaurant would be an enjoyable experience.
He and Mrs. Catherine lived model lives for us all to follow. Mr. Pete and Catherine represented God's special gift to New Mexico, not only in their service as great business people, but they represented the truest forms of how a life anchored in love should be experienced and shared.
The lives of the Mr. Pete Powdrell and Mrs. Catherine have been a blessing to New Mexico, in their coming and in their leaving. They left for us invaluable treasures of experiences, wisdom and visions, to serve as keys for unlocking the doors to living a vibrant and quality filled lifetime.
ROBERT WELDON “BOB” LAWRENCE
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After high school, Lawrence enlisted as one of the original members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the US Army Air Corps. From the rank of Private, he advanced to the rank of Captain, and was a fighter pilot serving in combat in the European Theater in World War II. The 332nd Fighter group was trained at Tuskegee, Alabama, and earned the name of the "Tuskegee Airmen" as the first all black pilots in the armed services
Lawrence flew nearly three dozen combat missions in World War II as part of a group of pilots who came to be known as the "Tuskegee Airmen." Lawrence received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Unit citation for his thirty-three combat missions.
After serving his country, Lawrence married Mary Elizabeth Richards, an Air Force nurse, and moved to California where they attended San Jose State University and became the parents of two children. Following ten years of private practice as a Public accountant, he devoted twenty-six years to public education as a teacher, counselor, and school administrator. He served his final four working years as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction in the State of California, Department of Education. In 1980 Robert Lawrence and his wife Ernestine (Tina), retired to Santa Fe where he became involved in many volunteer activities.
Robert Lawrence is a hero because he is an individual who took action when opportunity was parallel with a time for change. His courage and his commitment to excellence is well documented and will always serve as a rainbow for us all to remember that one of God's very best once walked with us, before he would fly beyond the clouds.