Richard Matthew Dettlaff

Richard Matthew Dettlaff, 85, of Farmington, New Mexico, passed away on March 1, 2026, in Farmington. He was born April 4, 1940, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Richard and Helen Dettlaff.

He grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated high school in 1958. He enlisted in the Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic. While stationed at the Air Force base in Wiesbaden, Germany, he met his wife Sonni. They were then married in Wiesbaden where their first child, Jacque, was born. 

Richard earned an associate degree in welding in Green Bay, Wisc. He helped build various power plants, including the San Juan Power Plant in 1977 when the family relocated to Farmington, New Mexico. He was an avid fisherman; he also hunted quail and pheasant. He loved to go on weekend camping trips with his wife, kids, and friends to many areas of interest in the Southwest United States including state and national parks.

Richard was active within St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He also would live in an RV when his work on power plants would take him across the country. He was known to make his friends and family laugh and -- sometimes groan -- with his wit and humor.

Richard loved and was loved by his sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, brother and sisters, and all of his family.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife Sonni Dettlaff (divorced), his parents Richard and Helen Dettlaff, his sisters Ann Halle and Elaine Spanbauer.

Richard is survived by his sons Norman Dettlaff, (married to Jessica Dettlaff), Robert Dettlaff, his daughters Jacque Clark, (married to Ralph Clark), Yvonne Dettlaff-Polenz, (married to Michael Polenz), his brother Dennis Dettlaff, (married to Linda Dettlaff) his grandchildren Justin Hicks, Sarah McDowell, (married to Jesse McDowell), Jasmine Jensen, (married to Tyray Jensen), Leo Sanchez his greatgrandchildren Bristol and Vandon McDowell, Dwayne, Matthew and Russell Jensen.

Services will be held in Farmington, New Mexico on Saturday September 5, 2026, with interment at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.