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August 1, 2001

   
At 96, Westfall Keeps Going
   
By Lloyd Jojola
Journal Staff Writer
    As a high school basketball player, Archie Westfall had a couple of chances to travel to Albuquerque, far away from his family home in the Pecos Valley.
    "I looked at the (University of New Mexico) and was just kind of fascinated," the Dexter native said.
    While fellow classmates in the southeastern New Mexico town blazed a trail to Aggie-land in Las Cruces, Westfall opted for UNM where he would graduate in 1932 with a degree in business administration.
    The springboard was set and so were his ties to Albuquerque.
    Westfall would go on to own and operate Allied School and Office Products, a university-area fixture for 63 years until he sold it in 1997. His role a civic leader also would blossom. He served on the city commission from 1962 to 1966 and as the chairman for two of those years. He also is a past president of groups including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Albuquerque.
    Westfall turned 96 on Friday but is still a regular player in several community groups.
    "I keep busy," he said. "Every morning I've got something to do." Regular jaunts to Rotary and chamber meetings as well as involvement with UNM athletics and alumni keep him spry, as does taking care of his cat, Hobbs.
    Retirement might have slowed him but hasn't stopped him, he said.
    "Keep on going for as long as you can," he said is his advice.
    Earlier this year, UNM honored Westfall with the Erna S. Fergusson Award, given for exceptional accomplishments, commitments or distinguished service to the university.
    "The university is a great place," he said. "They have a good school there, and I enjoyed it very much. I like to do what I can for the university."
    If there's a former newsmaker you would like us to track down, contact Ellen Marks at 823-3842 or emarks@abqjournal.com
   
    PHOTO BY: JIM THOMPSON/JOURNAL
    PHOTO: b/w
    KEEPING BUSY: Archie Westfall, 96, former city commissioner, businessman and civic leader, says retirement has slowed him down but won't stop him.