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Cedar Crest in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
 

Ben and Pat Abruzzo

 
 
Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, August 21, 2021
1. Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker
Inscription.
Ben Abruzzo
1930 – Rockford, Illinois

Pat Abruzzo
1932 – Rockford, Illinois

1985 – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ben Abruzzo was one of those rare individuals who undertake great enterprises – adventures of the human spirit which ennoble us all.

In business, and in association with others – especially Robert Nordhaus, his achievements included the development of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, the Sandia Peak Tramway and the Sandia Heights sub-division at the base of the tramway.

But, his unique achievements were in a dimension beyond business. In 1978, he flew with Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman in the “Double Eagle II” and made the first successful balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. In 1981, flying the “Double Eagle V” with Larry Newman, Ron Clark, and Rocky Aoki, Ben crossed the Pacific Ocean in the only attempt ever made to do so in a balloon. These pioneering voyages rank among the great feats in the history of aeronautics.

Pat Abruzzo, beloved wife and mother, was an indispensable partner in these achievements and a co-venturer in spirit. Not only did she provide a strong and loving family environment,
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but her confidence in Ben’s abilities and her unfailing support and encouragement in the face of risk made the conquest of risk easier.

In this place whose beauty and vistas inspired them and which was a source of their strength and happiness, they are remembered with deepest affection…and pride.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & SpaceIndustry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
 
Location. 35° 11.75′ N, 106° 26.034′ W. Marker is in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It can be reached from Grand Enchantment Trail. The marker is at the observation platform at the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway and along the Great Enchantment Trail. It can be reached by the long hike up to the peak or by taking the Tramway up to the site, starting from the lower Tramway base off of Tramway Road NE in Albuquerque. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cedar Crest NM 87008, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Albuquerque. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western
Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2018
2. Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker
Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sandia Peak Ski Area (a few steps from this marker); The View from the Top (within shouting distance of this marker); Wild at Heart (within shouting distance of this marker); The Green Chair at Santa Fe Ski Basin (approx. 2.6 miles away); Doρa Elena Gallegos / Elena Gallegos Land Grant (approx. 3 miles away); Doρa Dolores “Lola” Chαvez de Armijo (approx. 4.6 miles away); John B. Robert Dam (approx. 6.1 miles away); Las Placitas (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Crest.
 
Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, August 21, 2021
3. Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker
Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, August 21, 2021
4. Ben and Pat Abruzzo Marker
The Sandia Peak Tramway image. Click for full size.
April 22, 2018
5. The Sandia Peak Tramway
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 646 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on September 2, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.   2. submitted on July 13, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.   3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.   5. submitted on July 13, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jul. 14, 2026