Portales, New Mexico
Encyclopedia
Portales is a city in and the county seat
of Roosevelt County
, New Mexico
, United States
. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis
as well as Cannon Air Force Base
, a major contributor to the economy of the region.
Eastern New Mexico University
opened in Portales in 1934 and has grown to become the third largest university in the state. Portales is one of the largest producers of Valencia peanuts in the United States and is the nation's top producer of Certified Organic peanut butter. Portales is home to over 40 dairies and a major US dairy solids plant, together producing and exporting hundreds of millions of dollars of local milk products each year. Portales is the principal city of the Portales Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area
, including Clovis, 20 miles (32.2 km) away and Cannon Air Force Base, 12 miles (19.3 km) away.
urban design. The center of the town square includes the 1930s WPA-style Roosevelt County Courthouse, including original architectural details from the era, as well as the adjacent 1930s Post Office. The Courthouse Square is ringed with retail shops. The Yam Theater, a historic theater located in the downtown area, is currently under renovation. Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) forms a sizable district with its campus and surrounding residential stock catering largely to students. Arts and cultural offerings emanate from Eastern New Mexico University, the third largest state university in New Mexico. Portales ranks in the top 20% of US cities for racial diversity, percentage of college educated adults, and percentage of people who walk or bike to work. Portales rates in the top 10% of US cities for a short commute, rent affordability, and low taxes.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), all of it land. The greater Portales area (Zip Code 88130) is approximately 20 square miles (51.8 km²), completely surrounded by range and farm land.
The US territorial settlement of Portales occurred in the late 19th century as cattle herders discovered a water source emanating from a rocky ledge resembling a Spanish porch. The local watering hole took on the name "Portales", and a few settlers began ranching nearby. The City of Portales was formally established in 1909 with the arrival of the railroad to the Southwestern High Plains. The first Mayor of Portales was Washington Ellsworth Lindsey, who went on later to become a state Governor of New Mexico.
The town developed in an orderly fashion through the early 20th century. Eastern New Mexico University
was established in 1934 as the teacher's college
. Originally a junior college
, it became a four-year institution in the mid-20th century. The Great Depression brought several important Works Progress Administration
(WPA) construction projects including the Eastern New Mexico University Administration Building, Downtown Portales Post Office, and Roosevelt County Courthouse. All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The study identified 12 categories including population growth, per capita income, small business growth, professional jobs, commuting, cost of living, and advanced degrees. Cities were given points for positive results and negative scores if they were below the national averages. These scores were then totaled to determine its overall rank on the list of micropolitan areas.
Portales, the smallest city in the top 25, received a quality of life score of 8.96, the 15th highest score in the nation. According to Scott Thomas, the author of the study, the income per capita, short commuting times, low taxes, and substantial percentage of adults with a graduate degree contributed to the ranking. Los Alamos was the only other New Mexico city to be recognized in the top 20.
, value-added food processing, a growing military presence, and agriculture (including cattle ranching, dairy farming, and crop production). In recent years, the economy of Portales has grown significantly along with the price and volume of agricultural commodities being produced in the region. The area around Portales is also drawing increased attention for its abundance of steady wind power, solar energy, and biofuel feedstock.
Sunland Inc. in Portales is the largest U.S. exporter of certified organic peanut products and a major U.S. processor and distributor of sweet Valencia peanuts. DairiConcepts with Dairy Farmers of America
processes local milk
into milk solids for domestic and export use. Spanish energy corporation Abengoa Bioenergy operates a large ethanol
plant in Portales, which was doubled in size in 2005, and Coca Cola Southwest Canners operates an energy drink canning and bottling plant.
The Portales economy is also connected to Cannon Air Force Base located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) to the north. The base operates a leased military housing area in Portales with 150 single family dwellings. Major Portales retailers include Super Wal-Mart, True Value
hardware, small privately-owned boutique shops, restaurants, and professional services in the downtown area, IGA grocers
, several furniture stores, and a number of discount retailers and auto dealers.
In 2002, the US Census recorded wholesale trade of $53,713,000 and retail trade of $147,174,000 in Roosevelt County. In 2006, data from econometrics firm EMSI predicted that by 2015, Roosevelt County would experience over 50% employment growth in several key economic sectors, including professional and business services, education and health services, and manufacturing. The same report predicted over 100% growth in leisure and hospitality services in the Portales area by 2015.
In 2007, Buxton Incorporated conducted a retail location analysis for Portales and found the retail market potential to be over $180 million, nearly $30 million higher than existing local retail trade, indicating demand exceeding supply.
Unemployment in Roosevelt County in 2007 averaged less than 3%, and the cost of living was approximately 83% of the US average, based primarily on the historically low but rising cost of housing in the area. By 2009, Portales continued to experience economic growth, with unemployment in the 3.7% range. Portales remained partially insulated from the national economic downturn of 2008-2010 due in part to a balanced economy based on agri-business and staple food product manufacturing (primarily peanut butter and milk), higher education, and a relatively strong local retail services market fueled by a growing population of Eastern New Mexico University students and Cannon Air Force Base employees.
of 2000, there were 11,131 people, 4,188 households, and 2,659 families residing within the city limits of Portales. By 2007, the number of people counted in Portales, including those within the city limits and in the nearby surroundings had grown to nearly 17,000 people (University of New Mexico BBER). Eastern New Mexico University had over 4,300 students and 700 faculty and staff in 2008.
The population density
of the city of Portales in 2000 was 1,624.9 people per square mile (627.4/km²). There were 4,862 housing units at an average density of 709.7 per square mile (274.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.80% White, 2.28% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 23.39% from other races
, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.13% of the population.
There were 4,188 households in Portales in 2000, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population is fairly young. In 2000, 26.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years in 2000. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,658 in 2000 and the median income for a family was $30,462. Males had a median income of $27,080 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,935 in 2000. About 18.8% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over. By 2007, per capita income had risen significantly, while the poverty rate had dropped, in large part due to massive growth in the dairy industry. The creative class quotient for Portales was 21% in 2007.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Roosevelt County
Roosevelt County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.9% White*1.8% Black*1.3% Native American*0.9% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.2% Two or more races*15.9% Other races*39.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 11,131 at the 2000 census. Portales is located near the larger city of Clovis
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
as well as Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command ....
, a major contributor to the economy of the region.
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
opened in Portales in 1934 and has grown to become the third largest university in the state. Portales is one of the largest producers of Valencia peanuts in the United States and is the nation's top producer of Certified Organic peanut butter. Portales is home to over 40 dairies and a major US dairy solids plant, together producing and exporting hundreds of millions of dollars of local milk products each year. Portales is the principal city of the Portales Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area
Clovis-Portales combined statistical area
The Clovis-Portales Combined Statistical Area is made up of two counties in east central New Mexico. The statistical area consists of the Clovis Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Portales Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, including Clovis, 20 miles (32.2 km) away and Cannon Air Force Base, 12 miles (19.3 km) away.
City
The city's downtown area is centered around a traditional-style town square, based upon SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
urban design. The center of the town square includes the 1930s WPA-style Roosevelt County Courthouse, including original architectural details from the era, as well as the adjacent 1930s Post Office. The Courthouse Square is ringed with retail shops. The Yam Theater, a historic theater located in the downtown area, is currently under renovation. Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) forms a sizable district with its campus and surrounding residential stock catering largely to students. Arts and cultural offerings emanate from Eastern New Mexico University, the third largest state university in New Mexico. Portales ranks in the top 20% of US cities for racial diversity, percentage of college educated adults, and percentage of people who walk or bike to work. Portales rates in the top 10% of US cities for a short commute, rent affordability, and low taxes.
Geography
Portales is located at 34°10′57"N 103°20′19"W (34.182184, -103.338737).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), all of it land. The greater Portales area (Zip Code 88130) is approximately 20 square miles (51.8 km²), completely surrounded by range and farm land.
History
Clovis Man inhabited the Blackwater area north of Portales until 11,000 years ago. The Blackwater Draw Museum and Blackwater Archeological site are two of the most visited locations in the region. During Spanish rule in the 17th century, this area of New Mexico was named the "Llano Estacado" or "staked plains", a possible reference to the prominent and imposing yucca plants that dot the flat horizon of the Southwestern High Plains. Comanches ruled the area for part of the 19th century, but did not stay in one place.The US territorial settlement of Portales occurred in the late 19th century as cattle herders discovered a water source emanating from a rocky ledge resembling a Spanish porch. The local watering hole took on the name "Portales", and a few settlers began ranching nearby. The City of Portales was formally established in 1909 with the arrival of the railroad to the Southwestern High Plains. The first Mayor of Portales was Washington Ellsworth Lindsey, who went on later to become a state Governor of New Mexico.
The town developed in an orderly fashion through the early 20th century. Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
was established in 1934 as the teacher's college
Normal school
A normal school is a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers. Its purpose is to establish teaching standards or norms, hence its name...
. Originally a junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
, it became a four-year institution in the mid-20th century. The Great Depression brought several important Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA) construction projects including the Eastern New Mexico University Administration Building, Downtown Portales Post Office, and Roosevelt County Courthouse. All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Living
According to a study conducted by Bizjournals.com, of 577 micropolitan areas, Portales ranked 15th in the nation and ninth in the western United States in overall quality of life. The goal of the study was to identify America’s most attractive micropolitan areas and points were given to small, well-rounded communities where the economy is strong, traffic is light, the cost of living is moderate, adults are well-educated, and access to big-city attractions is reasonably close.The study identified 12 categories including population growth, per capita income, small business growth, professional jobs, commuting, cost of living, and advanced degrees. Cities were given points for positive results and negative scores if they were below the national averages. These scores were then totaled to determine its overall rank on the list of micropolitan areas.
Economy
The economy of Portales and surrounding communities is strongly supported by the peanut and dairy industries, Eastern New Mexico UniversityEastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
, value-added food processing, a growing military presence, and agriculture (including cattle ranching, dairy farming, and crop production). In recent years, the economy of Portales has grown significantly along with the price and volume of agricultural commodities being produced in the region. The area around Portales is also drawing increased attention for its abundance of steady wind power, solar energy, and biofuel feedstock.
Sunland Inc. in Portales is the largest U.S. exporter of certified organic peanut products and a major U.S. processor and distributor of sweet Valencia peanuts. DairiConcepts with Dairy Farmers of America
Dairy Farmers of America
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. is a national milk marketing cooperative in the United States. It is owned by and serves nearly 16,000 dairy farmer members representing more than 9,000 dairy farms in 48 states. DFA buys raw milk from its members and sells milk and derivative products to wholesale...
processes local milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
into milk solids for domestic and export use. Spanish energy corporation Abengoa Bioenergy operates a large ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
plant in Portales, which was doubled in size in 2005, and Coca Cola Southwest Canners operates an energy drink canning and bottling plant.
The Portales economy is also connected to Cannon Air Force Base located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) to the north. The base operates a leased military housing area in Portales with 150 single family dwellings. Major Portales retailers include Super Wal-Mart, True Value
True Value
True Value Company is a retailer-owned hardware cooperative with over 5,000 independent retail locations worldwide. Members of the True Value cooperative own their individual stores and operate independently of True Value Company....
hardware, small privately-owned boutique shops, restaurants, and professional services in the downtown area, IGA grocers
IGA (supermarkets)
IGA is a brand of grocery stores active in more than 30 countries. Contrasting with the chain store business model, IGA operates as a franchise through stores that are owned separately from the brand. Many of these stores operate in small town markets and belong to families that manage them...
, several furniture stores, and a number of discount retailers and auto dealers.
In 2002, the US Census recorded wholesale trade of $53,713,000 and retail trade of $147,174,000 in Roosevelt County. In 2006, data from econometrics firm EMSI predicted that by 2015, Roosevelt County would experience over 50% employment growth in several key economic sectors, including professional and business services, education and health services, and manufacturing. The same report predicted over 100% growth in leisure and hospitality services in the Portales area by 2015.
In 2007, Buxton Incorporated conducted a retail location analysis for Portales and found the retail market potential to be over $180 million, nearly $30 million higher than existing local retail trade, indicating demand exceeding supply.
Unemployment in Roosevelt County in 2007 averaged less than 3%, and the cost of living was approximately 83% of the US average, based primarily on the historically low but rising cost of housing in the area. By 2009, Portales continued to experience economic growth, with unemployment in the 3.7% range. Portales remained partially insulated from the national economic downturn of 2008-2010 due in part to a balanced economy based on agri-business and staple food product manufacturing (primarily peanut butter and milk), higher education, and a relatively strong local retail services market fueled by a growing population of Eastern New Mexico University students and Cannon Air Force Base employees.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,131 people, 4,188 households, and 2,659 families residing within the city limits of Portales. By 2007, the number of people counted in Portales, including those within the city limits and in the nearby surroundings had grown to nearly 17,000 people (University of New Mexico BBER). Eastern New Mexico University had over 4,300 students and 700 faculty and staff in 2008.
The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of the city of Portales in 2000 was 1,624.9 people per square mile (627.4/km²). There were 4,862 housing units at an average density of 709.7 per square mile (274.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.80% White, 2.28% African American, 1.12% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 23.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.13% of the population.
There were 4,188 households in Portales in 2000, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population is fairly young. In 2000, 26.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years in 2000. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,658 in 2000 and the median income for a family was $30,462. Males had a median income of $27,080 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,935 in 2000. About 18.8% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over. By 2007, per capita income had risen significantly, while the poverty rate had dropped, in large part due to massive growth in the dairy industry. The creative class quotient for Portales was 21% in 2007.
Notable natives and residents
- Michael Blake, Author of Dances with WolvesDances with WolvesDances with Wolves is a 1990 epic western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake and tells the story of a Union Army Lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post, and his dealings with a...
, attended college at Eastern New Mexico UniversityEastern New Mexico UniversityEastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA... - John BurroughsJohn Burroughs (governor)John Burroughs was a New Mexican businessman and the 18th Governor of New Mexico. Burroughs is remembered for honest government and introduction of the concept of a state Personnel Act to improve the quality of state workers and limit somewhat the effect of political patronage.Burroughs attended...
, DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of New Mexico, 1959–1961 - Ronny CoxRonny CoxDaniel Ronald "Ronny" Cox is an American character actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Personal life:Cox, the third of five children, was born in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, the son of Lounette and Bob P. Cox, a carpenter who also worked at a dairy. He grew up in Portales, New Mexico...
, ActorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
; starred in the film DeliveranceDeliveranceDeliverance is a 1972 American thriller film produced and directed by John Boorman. Principal cast members include Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty in his film debut. The film is based on a 1970 novel of the same name by American author James Dickey, who has a small role in the...
and on the CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
series Apple's WayApple's WayApple's Way is a television dramedy which aired on CBS from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..-Premise:The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's... - Ed ForemanEd ForemanEdgar Franklin "Ed" Foreman is a motivational speaker in Dallas. He served one term representing a district in west Texas in the United States House of Representatives in 1963-65 and he served one term representing the southern district of New Mexico in Congress from 1969-71.-Early years in New...
, Represented two states in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
: Texas and New Mexico; motivational speaker and philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... - Danny LearyDanny LearyDaniel Leary , better known as Danny Leary, is an American stand-up comedian and actor based in New York City. He attended Portales High School located in Portales, New Mexico...
, Comedian and actor - Cody RossCody RossCody Joseph Ross is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has played with the Detroit Tigers , Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , and Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder for the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... - Christopher StasheffChristopher StasheffChristopher Stasheff is an American science fiction author and fantasy author whose novels include The Warlock in Spite of Himself and Her Majesty's Wizard . He has a PhD. in Theatre and also teaches radio and television at Eastern New Mexico University in New Mexico...
, Fantasy author - Ned SubletteNed SubletteNed Sublette is an American composer, musician, record producer and musicologist. Sublette studied Spanish Classical Guitar with Hector Garcia at the University of New Mexico and with Emilio Pujol in Spain. He studied composition with Kenneth Gaburo at the University of California, San Diego...
, Singer and Cuban scholar - Addie Peed SwearingenAddie Peed SwearingenAddie Peed Swearingen was a former beautician who became a philanthropist to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas...
, Philanthropist - Jack WilliamsonJack WilliamsonJohn Stewart Williamson , who wrote as Jack Williamson was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction" following the death in 1988 of Robert A...
, Science fiction author