Longtime ITEA Member and Founding Member of the Roadrunner and White Sands Chapters

Austin launched to Heaven on 14 April 2018. He was the younger son of Louis L. Vick and Mota I. (Austin) Vick, both descendants of early homesteaders in Torrance County, New Mexico. Austin was born January 28, 1929, on the Vick homestead.

Austin was the beloved husband of Pamela and father of Larry and Margaret (Wayne); the very special grandfather of Kelli (Jason), Kendall (Stella), and Helen (Regan); and great-grandfather of Alexia and Austin, Harper, and Everett. He was also known as Papa to Pamela’s grandsons Aidan and Andrew. Austin’s late wife Norine, his son David, brother Ermon, and his parents had all gone on to Heaven to await him.

After graduating from New Mexico State University with BS and MS Civil Engineering degrees, he was a Professional Engineer/Land Surveyor licensed in the State of New Mexico. He began his 34 year career at White Sands Missile Range in 1950 and retired as the manager of the range instrumentation facilities. He was selected for the WSMR Hall of Fame for outstanding and lasting impacts on the mission. He also was very proud of his long-time association with New Mexico State University’s Engineering department. He was a life member of ACAGE, College of Engineering Centennial Distinguished Alum, Klipsch ECE Academy and selected honor member of Chi Epsilon.

Austin designed and built custom homes and enjoyed playing golf with his local buddies. Following his retirement from WSMR he was a consultant for the Department of Defense on several projects. The resulting travel created treasured opportunities to play golf with his DOD buddies on many courses throughout the world.

This gentle and generous man made a strong impact on many employees he mentored and all who knew him in his family realm … a job well done, Austin; now your reward is in Heaven.

To honor his memory and in lieu of flowers, the family has established the Austin L. Vick Memorial Scholarship at New Mexico State University for engineering students from New Mexico. Gifts made payable to “NMSU Foundation” for Austin L. Vick may be mailed to NMSU Foundation, P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003-3590. Gifts may also be made online at “giving.nmsu.edu”. Please click “other” and write in Austin L. Vick.

Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces NM 88001. Please visit www.GetzCares.com to sign the local online guest book.