Arthur Capen Payne, Jr

Arthur Payne, Jr., 73, loving father and grandfather, passed away May 27, 2021. Arthur was born August 20, 1947, in Margarita, Canal Zone, Panama to Arthur Capen Payne Sr. and Elaine Mae Risteen. He loved growing up in the Canal Zone. In 1965, Arthur graduated from Balboa High School as one of the top of his class. He then attended Stevens Institute of Technology; where he received his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics with Honor, Master of Science in Physics, and Doctorate in Theoretical Physics. In 1977 he joined the U.S. Navy and was an instructor in and the Director of the Physics Division at the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. Arthur then moved to Albuquerque, NM to work at Sandia National Laboratories as a Physicist and Analyst. He retired from Sandia in 2009.

Arthur was an avid reader, principally of science fiction, science, art, philosophy, history, and politics. He was an accomplished chess and go player. He was passionate for classical music and attended many concerts. He loved nature, mountaineering, backpacking, hiking, and camping. He played the Spanish guitar, wrote poetry, and enjoyed drawing and oil painting. He was a member of the New Mexico Art League. He was a foodie who especially enjoyed New Mexican, Japanese, Thai, and Indian food. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and playing with his grandpuppies and grandkitties. Arthur was a genuine Renaissance Man.

He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Patricia and Kevin Emig and Erin and Michael Blohm; grandchildren Christofer Hoffman and Lily Emig, and former wife, Linda Payne. Arthur is also survived by his sister-in-law and husband, James and Marsha Slover; brother-in-law and wife, Paul and Joan Cawood Hellmund; two stepbrothers, Robert and John Donaldson; stepsister, Rae Donaldson; five nephews, Jon Slover (Jamie), Charles Slover, Robert Slover, Andrew Hellmund (Else-Jean), and Noah Hellmund; two grandnephews, James Slover and Matthew Slover; and one grand-niece Emily Slover. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Robert Donaldson; brother, Robert Payne; and brother-in-law, James Hellmund. Memorial service will be held June 28, 2021, at 6 p.m. at New Covenant Church on Paseo, with a reception to follow. His ashes will be laid to rest in Thomaston, Maine.