Longtime LANL Staffer and Volunteer Officer Reid Zirkle Remembered

Reid Zirkle, born October 5, 1945, died December 8, 2025. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 38 year and served for decades as a volunteer reserve officer with the Los Alamos Police Department, roles that made him a familiar presence across the county and a steady contributor during local emergencies.

Zirkle was an active member of the Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club and took part in community responses during critical events, including the Cerro Grande Fire. Those contributions highlighted the informal networks of skills and experience that complement official public safety resources in Los Alamos County. Family members listed survivors and expressed thanks to caregivers and hospice in notes shared with the community. A memorial service is scheduled for December 19 at Rivera Funeral Kiva Chapel in Santa Fe, with burial arrangements noted in the service details.

The loss of a 38 year laboratory veteran and long time volunteer carries local significance beyond personal remembrance. Los Alamos National Laboratory remains a central pillar of the county economy and civic life, so the departure of staff who bridged workplace expertise and community service affects institutional knowledge and the pool of experienced volunteers who support emergency response. The memory of the Cerro Grande Fire and other local crises remains a reminder that retirees and active employees often form a critical reserve of personnel and local leadership during shocks to public safety and infrastructure.

For neighbors and former colleagues, Zirkle’s passing is a moment to reflect on how volunteerism, institutional continuity and community organizations work together in a small county economy. The service on December 19 will provide an opportunity for Los Alamos residents to acknowledge his contributions to public safety and local resilience, and to consider how the county sustains those capacities as longtime volunteers and public servants retire or pass away.