Illing, Richard G.

Richard G. Illing came to New Mexico in the 1950s. He settled his family in Albuquerque and later moved to El Rancho de San Francisco in Placitas, N.M. The family enjoyed ranch life and the Sandia Mountains. When his daughter, Lynne, died in an accident her ashes were scattered on the eastern slope of the Sandias. In part as a memorial to Lynne, Richard became a devoted advocate for the environmental protection and preservation of the Sandia Mountains. He was especially vocal and energetic in his opposition to the U.S. Forest Service proposed construction of the Ellis Loop Forest Highway, which originally was to be a skyline highway from the Sandia Crest, north along the crest line ending in Placitas. Illing with other environmentalists felt that such a road would destroy the natural beauty of the mountain, its forests and wildlife. The highway would also have adverse effects on the Placitas community water resources and create hazards from increased highway traffic. Illing was active in the Las Placitas Association and served as president in 1973. The association was formed to organize community members in an effort protect their local environment. In testament to his determination to protect the Sandia Mountains from development the Loop Road has still not been built.