Santa Fe Living Treasures – Elder Stories

Juan liked to help his mother with her tin work; he did the curling for her. In 1968, nine-year-old Juan explored every corner of the Smithsonian Institution while his mother demonstrated the art of tin smithing.

He grew interested in bicycles in his teen years and found a job at a bicycle shop. Although his father opposed the purchase, Juan saved $500 and bought himself a bicycle. He often rose early in the morning and rode to Tesuque or Glorieta.

Juan met his German wife, Dagmar Kupinski, in Roswell in 1978, while attending an anti-nuclear rally. The couple spent two years in Europe, and Juan became fluent in German. Their daughter, Bgorg, was born in 1980. Visits and letters from Bgorg, who lives in Washington, are a highlight of Juan's life, his mother said.

Please see Volume 1 for complete text.