"ALEXANDER Dr. Charles Melton Alexander, 58, of Pinos Altos, died Saturday, Jan. 10, in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, while logging the Sea of Cortez in his trawler, Elzio's Farewell. He was born Jan. 29, 1939, in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Alexander entered high school in Las Cruces and Laurel, Miss. Dr. Alexander was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and studied astrophysics at New Mexico State University. He received his doctorate in oceanographic engineering at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. He was a professional scientist working in the areas of parachute design and testing. He worked on space tether design and shuttle booster recovery for NASA. He did deep-sea engineering for astrophysical research, and participated in projects in the submersible Alvin for Woodshole Oceanographic. He was a general furrier, blacksmith, gunsmith, mountaineer, pilot, boat captain, and banjo builder and player. He was a scuba diver with many advanced technical certifications. Dr. Alexander was a member of the U.S. Skydiving Team, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, 50 Caliber Shooters Association, Tyrone Gun Club and Southwestern Shotgunners. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed competition endurance riding with his horse Elzic. He operated a precision machine shop under the name of Cross Mountain Enterprises. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kliem and Myrtle Alexander. Survivors are his daughter, Suzanne Dorothea of Fort Lewis, Wash.; a son, Charles Glen of Lexington, Mass.; his children s mother, Marianne Kirkland of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; a brother, Edward, and his wife, Brigit, his nephew, Thomas, and a niece, Miriam, all of Austin, Texas; and numerous friends around the world. Graveside services will he held Sunday at 3pm in Pinos altos cemetery. "