Nigel S. Hey

Nigel S. Hey, science writer, journalist, author and public relations specialist for Sandia National Laboratories, died December 21, 2016 in a local hospital of a severe respiratory infection. He was 80. Nigel was born in northern England on June 23, 1936. His parents, Margery Kershaw and Aaron Hey, left their strong Yorkshire roots and emigrated to the American west in search of a healthier environment to raise their son. Graduating from the University of Utah, Nigel worked as an international journalist and expanded on his already deep interests in philosophy, science, writing and travel. Nigel moved to New Mexico in the 1960's working for small newspapers in and around Albuquerque before being recruited to Sandia Labs in 1966. He enjoyed acting and performed in early productions with Classic Theatre. Nigel succeeded in publishing three books early in his writing career and went on to publish the books Solar System and The Star Wars Enigma before retiring from Sandia. In 2012 he published Wonderment: A Love Affair with Adventure; a personal memoir and finalist in the NM-AZ Book Awards. Nigel was also a Fellow to the AAAS and a member of the NASW since 1971. He is survived by his wife, Ellen D. (Dee) and son, Jonathan of Albuquerque; his daughter, Jocelyn, wife of David Armitage, two grandchildren, Edward and Elizabeth Armitage of London, England; his son, Brian and wife Melanie of Hythe, Kent, England and the many friends and colleagues worldwide who cherished his engaging mind, his cultural openness and his unbounded intellectual pursuits. A celebration of Nigel's life will be held at the First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle NE, on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. www.nigelhey.com
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