Hurd-Knief, Weitzel Recognized for Outstanding Service THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM
Alan Weitzel
was named for Robert Wertheim after
PAM HURD-KNIEF AND ALAN WEITZEL
his passing in 2013. Wertheim was the
WITH THE ROBERT WERTHEIM AWARD
founder of Charter Bank, a recipient of the
OF DISTINCTION.
Ethics in Business award, and a community
This year’s recipients have both been
leader with a deep love for New Mexico.
dedicated members of the Albuquerque
His daughter, Helen Wertheim, recounts
Museum Foundation board and have
that Wertheim was part of a generation of
helped move the organization forward.
business leaders who were committed to
Weitzel, who worked as an engineer in New
working closely together to improve the
Mexico for more than 35 years, served on
state. “My father loved New Mexico, and
the Foundation’s board from 2012 to 2018,
wanted to make our state the best it could
and as board President in 2016-17. His
be," says Helen.
commitment always exceeded expectations,
Pam Hurd -Knief
The award, which was started in 1990,
FOUNDATION RECOGNIZED
Wertheim served on the Albuquerque
and he has continued to serve as a valuable
Museum Foundation Board from 2008 until
ambassador for the organization. Hurd-
his death. As a member of the fundraising
Knief worked in fundraising throughout
committee for Only in Albuquerque,
her career, including a nearly 20-year stint
Wertheim inspired fellow committee
on staff at the University of New Mexico.
members to raise twice the money of the
She served on the Foundation’s board
original goal. “It was the interactive map
from 2014-20; led the creation of the
(in Only in Albuquerque) that excited him,”
organization’s planned giving program,
Helen says. “He had a vision of kids on
the aM Society; and regularly advises the
their hands and knees pointing to places
Foundation’s development team.
in Albuquerque they know. He wanted to
The award honors an individual who
see it through.” Even though Wertheim
has served the Albuquerque Museum and/
battled cancer in the last years of his life,
or the Albuquerque Museum Foundation
he never missed a committee meeting. As
in an outstanding leadership capacity.
Helen tells it, just one day before he went
It is only given when there is a worthy
into the hospital for the last time, he was still
recipient, and not necessarily on an annual
making phone calls to raise money for the
basis. The criteria for the award includes
exhibition. “That made an enormous impact
time commitment, fundraising facilitation,
on me,” she says.
advocacy for the Museum and Foundation,
Wertheim served on many boards,
and being a community ambassador for
including Accion New Mexico, the University
the Museum and/or the Foundation. Past
of New Mexico Anderson School Alumni
recipients include Betty Sabo, Thelma
Council, and Presbyterian Healthcare
Domenici, Tom Keleher, Dr. Deborah
Services. He grew up in Fort Sumner, New
Good, and Beverly Bendicksen, among
Mexico, and graduated from UNM with a
many others.
business degree.
AlbuquerqueMuseumFoundation.org
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