Ernest Severo "Ernie" Romero

Ernest Severo Romero (“Ernie”) died on June 23, 2025 at the age of 89. The son of Pancracio and Anna Romero, he was born in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico on November 7, 1935.

Mr. Romero is a 1954 graduate of Taos High School and attended the University of New Mexico on a Ford Foundation scholarship before enlisting in the United States Navy, where he served four years as an airborne technician. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. A life-long learner, Mr. Romero also earned a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, Boulder, after completing a program of graduate-level study of topics covering the business of banking and completed the three-year education, training and testing requirements for designation as a Certified Commercial Investment Member of the National Association of Realtors. He was also licensed as a building contractor and real estate broker.

Mr. Romero had a diverse professional career. He was an electrical engineer at Autonetics and Rockwell International, where he worked on teams that developed exploration and defense systems. Mr. Romero and his wife then operated National Computer Corporation, a data processing company that delivered key-punch services to large corporations throughout the United States. In 1976, Mr. Romero accepted a position as the Town Administrator for the Town of Taos, where he served for one year. When he departed, the Taos News wrote, among other accolades, “we have seen a glittering, unbroken, unprecedented succession of promises made, and promises kept, to the people of the Town of Taos.” After several years leading Centinel Bank of Taos as its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Romero formed Taos Management Company, a management consulting firm, which led to local ownership of Holy Cross Hospital by Taos Health Systems and ensured the continued operation of the hospital in the community. Under his leadership, THS successfully negotiated adverse financial conditions, which then qualified THS for bond funding and ultimately led to the construction of a new hospital facility. The last several decades of Mr. Romero’s career were dedicated to various consulting enterprises and operating a real estate brokerage with his wife and children before his retirement at the end of 2021.

Mr. Romero was extraordinarily philanthropic and generously donated his time in service on multiple not-for-profit boards and organizations, which included Taos Health Systems (Holy Cross Hospital), Taos Center for the Arts, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, the Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education & Research, Santa Maria del Mirador, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, the Harwood Museum and many others. He served on the University of New Mexico Hospital Board of Trustees from 1988 through 1995, the last two years as Board Chairman, and on the Lovelace Board from 1998 through 2011. In 1995, the Regents of the University of New Mexico honored him with their prestigious Regents’ Recognition Medal for his extraordinary and unselfish assistance to the University over an extended period. Mr. Romero, with his wife, also bestowed financial support for many charitable events and causes in the Taos community. He also invested countless hours researching and advocating on behalf of the Cristobal de la Serna Land Grant Association and was a founding supporter of the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. Known to many as simply Ernie, he was beloved by his family, friends, and colleagues, and he will be remembered and admired for his intellect, innovation, and sense of humor. While much was achieved during his lifetime, Ernie remained humble and proud of his northern New Mexico roots and Hispanic heritage.

Mr. Romero met his future bride, Norris Dale McLemore, at a USO dance in Memphis, Tennessee. They were married on May 24, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii and shared a life of love and adventure that would span sixty-seven years. During their marriage, the Romeros welcomed three children, constructed their adobe home in Cañon, operated multiple businesses, and traveled extensively throughout the world. They were renowned for their hospitality and generosity.

Mr. Romero is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Alicia Carmen, Silvia Cecilia, Jose Epifanio and Juan Marvin Romero. He is survived by his wife Norris Romero; his children: Patty Romero (†Jim Esparza), Margaret Romero (Loretta Anaya), and Paul Romero (Amy); his grandchildren: Shannon Santistevan (Linda), Daniel Santistevan (Alicia), Amanda Cronin (Shawn) and Jessica Romero (Nelson); and his great grandchildren: Leilanni and Camille Santistevan (and soon, Kenneth Cronin). Mr. Romero is also survived by his brothers Panky Romero (†Eva Jo) and Alex Romero (Rita Garcia), as well as many treasured nieces, nephews and cherished family members and friends, including Mod Anaya; Phil, Alison, Gabby and Patrick Romero; Aileen and David Gottlieb; and James, Barbie and Lexi Ross.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. July 11, 2025 at San Francisco de Asís Catholic Mission Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The Shared Table c/o United Methodist Church, PO Box 1302 El Prado, NM 87529, for the benefit of the Taos community.

The family of Ernest Severo Romero ("Ernie”) has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019