2014 Historically Speaking - Ebook

2014 Historically Speaking - Ebook

Published February 2015

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

FIRST EDITION

First Printing – February 2015

Published with assistance from Strata-G

Strata-G LLC

2027 Castaic Lane

Knoxville, TN 37932

Copies of this book are available directly online from www.lulu.com/smithdray

Or through SmithDRay Web Pages at www.smithdray.net or www.draysmith.com

Or by contacting Ray Smith by e-mail at draysmith@comcast.net or by phone at 865-482-4224

Copyright © 2015 by David Ray Smith

Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee, an Oak Ridge icon of trained listeners, part 2

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee, an Oak Ridge icon of trained listeners, part 3

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee, an Oak Ridge icon of trained listeners, part 4

Weinberg: director of first think tank to study global warming

The Last Robertsville Reunion, part 1

The Last Robertsville Reunion, part 2

Herman Postma: Opportunist who bridged many gaps

Alex Zucker: A scientific & managerial pillar at ORNL

Alvin Trivelpiece: Unique perspective on science education and DOE

Alvin Trivelpiece: Making ORNL a better place

Oak Ridge Sectional Bridge Tournament and Gene Roy’s influence on Bridge in Oak Ridge

Lunch 4 Literacy and Denise Kiernan new visitors coming

Bill Madia: Building a bright future for ORNL

Madia team assesses ITER management

Jeff Wadsworth: From metallurgist to manager

Jeff Wadsworth: Probed how Damascus steel swords made

From start to finish: Oak Ridge’s rowing history, part 1

Citizens’ group saves future top-ranked rowing course

35 years of rowing highlights in Oak Ridge

Tim and Teresa Myrick - honored for service and philanthropy

Oak Ridge – The Way It Was – by Bobby J. Copeland

Oak Ridge Associated Universities has published a grand new book

Charlotte Brown and her miniature Charlottetown

Later Life by Harold Duncan – Living conditions in early Oak Ridge

Later Life by Harold Duncan – Living conditions in early Oak Ridge, part 2

Economic impacts of ORNL’s 20th century achievements

American Museum of Science and Energy – what does the future hold?

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park potential sites at Hanford, WA

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park potential sites at Hanford, WA, part 2

Waldo Cohn: Conducted isotope research and the Oak Ridge Symphony

Waldo Cohn: Revelations in a DOE oral history

Clark Center Park – named for a man, Mr. Carbide!

Abraham Lincoln: The East Tennessee Connection

The Guest House at the Alexander Inn

BOMB: A story of scientists, saboteurs and spies

Don’t go to Rugby if you are afraid of ghosts! – Part 1

Don’t go to Rugby if you are afraid of ghosts! – part 2

Physics genius showed Oak Ridge how to be safe

The Guest House at the Alexander Inn

Clyde Hopkins: A marvelous man and manager

Clyde Hopkins: Stories of the man, the manager

First reception in The Guest House at the Alexander Inn

Manhattan Project Spies and Oak Ridge, part 1 (Spies in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project)

Manhattan Project Spies and Oak Ridge, Part 2 (The ‘most dangerous’ Manhattan Project Spy)

Manhattan Project Spies and Oak Ridge, Part 3 (Trial of the most dangerous Manhattan Project Spy)

Manhattan Project Spies and Oak Ridge, Part 4 (Spy worked at Y-12, Tennessee Eastman Co.)

Dedication

In memory of Tim Myrick, who embodies the spirit of Oak Ridge; service to others, imagination to see a better future, perseverance to overcome, and hard work. – Dan Hurst

During 2014, Tim Myrick, an extra special man lived his last year on this earth. He ultimately lost his life to The Beast (cancer). He did so with the greatest amount of dignity and humbleness I have ever observed. It was my fortune to be able to help select him to be the recipient of the second annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award presented by the Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties. This award has enormous meaning to me and Tim fits the requirements of the award perfectly.

Tim epitomized the volunteer. When he undertook an effort, he put his whole mind, body and soul into it. I was fortunate to be able to serve on a number of nonprofit charitable organization’s boards of directors with Tim. I learned from him as a protégé. I never saw the like of his skill, dedication and intensity of purpose.

It is with a great deal of joy that I join Dan Hurst in dedicating this book to Tim Myrick, my friend, and admired by both Dan and I plus a whole host of others who knew Tim! 

The author with Tim Myrick and the Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award

Foreword

The disadvantage of men not knowing the past is that they do not know the present. History is a hill or high point of vantage, from which alone, men see the town in which they live, or the age in which they are living.  G.K. Chesterton, 1933

Ray Smith is a man who has devoted his life to seeking that historical high ground in order to better see the past of his beloved Oak Ridge and relate it to our present age. In doing that he has been able to share the wisdom, challenges, joys, and laughter that span to the historical horizon of the Secret City.

Ray is a man with an unsurpassed love for the history of Oak Ridge; and who embodies the gifts of two of his most revered role models and mentors; Ed Westcott and Bill Wilcox. Like the legendary Manhattan Project photographer, Ed Westcott, Ray possesses the rare eye of an excellent photographer; and like long-time Oak Ridge Historian Bill Wilcox, Ray displays the gift of excellent storytelling; masterfully capturing details, and providing them in insightful human and historical context. Ray is an uncommon historian whose 44-year career at Y12 has both made history and recorded history. He has the vision and sensitivity to look forward to perceive the interests of a future audience; the curiosity and wisdom to look backward to relate to an audience that has significant stories to share; and the energy and concern to work tirelessly to introduce these two audiences.

In his story on the Oak Ridge Sectional Bridge Tournament, Ray observes that, Even the smallest things attract my attention because of light and shadow or line and shape. Although Ray made this statement to explain his interest in photography, I believe that this insightful quote also reveals Ray the historian; because as the stories in this book demonstrate, even the smallest things attract his attention and are presented to the reader in the interesting light and shadows of historical and personal context.

I grew up on the other side of the Clinch River from Anderson County in the 1960’s and 1970’s; the youngest son of WWII Navy veteran Zeb Hurst, whose service in the Pacific would undoubtedly have continued much longer, and his life very possibly cut much shorter, if not for the success of the Manhattan Project. When my dad came home from the war, the connection with Oak Ridge continued as he became a charter member of IBEW Local 270 in Oak Ridge, and worked there until his retirement in the late 1980’s. One of dad’s prized possessions was a letter from Dr. Herman Postma expressing appreciation for his efforts on the ELMO Bumpy Torus Project. The project was significant because of its contributions to Fusion Energy research, but to my dad it was Dr. Postma’s kindness and respect for his employees that left an indelible impression. Dr. Postma is one of five ORNL Lab Directors who is featured in this 2014 Historically Speaking collection.

My family, like so many others in the East Tennessee area, can directly correlate our comfortable blue-collar standard of living with the continued success of the Oak Ridge Mission. Before I was born, my mother worked for a time supporting the efforts of Dr. William Pollard, who led the Oak Ridge Institute for Nuclear Studies (ORINS), and is described in this volume along with its successor organization, ORAU.

As an area student, I was wowed by the extraordinary scientific accomplishments of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and was imprinted with the possibilities of science and engineering after a school field trip there.  This led directly to my study of engineering, my service in the nuclear navy, and the formation of the nuclear and environmental consulting business that I would later start. Like so many others in our regional community, I grew up with a sense of mystery and respect of the Secret City that I later learned was shared with folks from around the world. And, like so many others, I owe much to this small, iconic town that has impacted the world in such a major way. 

2014 Historically Speaking is an excellent collection of stories that highlight the town, the people, the context, and the way, which is Oak Ridge. Oak Ridge is a special place where special people have been called into service for a special appointment in history. The areas of focus in this volume range from preserving freedom (beginning with Manhattan Project origins, to launching our nation’s first nuclear powered submarine); to reclamation, (beginning with the muddy Manhattan Project to the modernization of ORNL and Oak Ridge High School). It’s possible that you will find family and friends presented here and learn a different part of their story for the first time. You may learn that Clark Center was a man’s name before it was a popular park. And, if you read carefully, you may even learn how a three year old goat fed only ferns for three days, affected the doctoral work of a very successful lab director.

Finally, it is fitting that the career of such a tireless and beloved historian as Ray Smith, be rewarded with the wonderful news that the town he has chronicled with his unique and undying spirit and conviction will be forever honored with a National Park so that all posterity will be able to see the pictures, and hear the stories, made possible by Ray Smith. I am honored and humbled to call him my friend.

Dan Hurst

President and Founder

Strata-G, LLC.

Preface

This 2014 volume of Historically Speaking continues in the tradition of the eight earlier volumes. The weekly columns continue to bring phone calls, e-mails and personal contacts that lead to even more stories. Readers continue to be faithful and more and more people seem to enjoy the weekly articles.

It is not uncommon for me to find readers at almost every Oak Ridge event I attend. I have become accustomed to people approaching me to say how much they enjoy the Historically Speaking column. I never get over the uncomfortable feeling their compliments cause. While I certainly do appreciate the positive feedback, I still don’t know how to respond other than to just mutter, Thank you.

I continue to have regular readers and new contacts bring stories that I have not heard. Writing a weekly column is an amazing journey in which I learn more and more about our unique history. Interest in the heritage of Oak Ridge history continues to grow. The potential for Heritage Tourism is becoming more accepted.

The Oak Ridge Public Library continues to be a real partner in the attempt I am making to document stories of our history. They continue to be most supportive of my efforts in very significant ways.

The Oak Ridge Room continues to be a primary source of research to confirm a story or to learn new facts and select new subjects for the column. It is not uncommon for me to visit that tremendous resource regularly.

Kathy McNeilly, director of the Oak Ridge Public Library is among my strongest supporters. Her staff has cataloged each Historically Speaking column and has created an index to the columns that has been placed on CD. I certainly do appreciate that support!

It has been my privilege to meet many people who have lived the history they share with me. Their insight is valuable beyond measure as I attempt to tell their stories.

My goal is to share all information on a subject that helps to clarify the details and assures accuracy. Sometimes follow up articles are used to clarify and correct past erroneous or incomplete information.

Writing history is often challenging and it is often difficult to be sure all the pertinent facts are known. As I have written Historically Speaking over the years, that task has not grown easier. In fact, I have become more and more aware of my limitations and shortcomings. The readers are forgiving and ever helpful as they seem to sense my sincerity and admire my efforts. I am most certainly thankful to the continuing help I am given.

This collection of stories that are making up these annual books may well be destined to make up a piece of Oak Ridge history for future generations. I am pleased by that realization and am even more challenged to get it correct!

A blessing of this endeavor is meeting wonderful, colorful and interesting people. I have come to understand that many people recognize me from the weekly photograph that runs with Historically Speaking and they even understand when I don’t recall their name…as I get older, that loss of memory aggravates me, but I am beginning to accept it as inevitable.

Of course, all I am describing is possible ONLY because of you devoted readers of Historically Speaking. Your unfailing support and vocal encouragement makes me want to keep doing the column, even when I tire of the constant weekly deadline and the nagging concern of what am I going to write about next.

The staff of The Oak Ridger continues to be a mainstay of support. They routinely assure the Historically Speaking column is as error free as they can make it. Their help is most appreciated and they often go the extra mile to correct typos and clarify anything that does not makes sense to them.

I continue to be most grateful for my wonderful wife, Fanny, without whose support for this ongoing project, I could not possibly continue. The many hours I must spend doing research, writing the column and interacting with the many weekly contacts we get claims an appreciable amount of time that could otherwise be spent with her. She often takes the messages and encourages me to return calls and follow up on each and every contact. She is a jewel!  We have enjoyed 50 years of marriage in 2014.

Most of all I am blessed with many supporters and I thank each and every one of you. It is my hope that you find this compilation of 2014 Historically Speaking columns a collection of stories that you are proud to own and eager to share with others as examples of our truly unique history.

Carolyn Krause, retired editor of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Review magazine (May 1975 – March 2011) and presently self-employed News and feature writer and technical editor, has contributed significantly to the articles included in 2014 Historically Speaking.

A special thanks goes to Chris Kilby, of Strata-G, who compiled the articles into book form.

Introduction

This is the ninth annual volume of articles from the Historically Speaking weekly newspaper column first published in The Oak Ridger, a local daily newspaper in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Articles from 2014 are included in this book. Earlier annual books contain the articles published in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Future annual books will be published as well.

Sustained interest in the column by ever increasing numbers of readers has encouraged the continuation of the historical research and writing. Many individuals have suggested subjects to be included and others have even written content for articles of particular interest to them.

The purpose for the column has remained the same over the years. It is my intent to capture unique and interesting historical facts and stories from East Tennessee events or locations with emphasis on Oak Ridge and its role in this region.

The column has promoted increased interest in Oak Ridge’s unique historical heritage along with other aspects of regional history. Over the years, Oak Ridge has moved far from being an anomaly in Appalachia. It has come to help define our region and over the past 70 years has become an integral part of East Tennessee history and culture.

The audience for the weekly column continues to provide positive feedback and encouragement. The readers are not limited to Oak Ridgers, but many online readers contact me regularly with suggestions and ideas for future columns. Their interest in the unique history of Oak Ridge seems to remain with them even when they move to other locations. My belief in the strength we, in Oak Ridge, contribute to our surrounding area’s history has been confirmed by the welcome I have received in other local communities and Knoxville.

We now have an excellent display of Oak Ridge history included in the Voices of the Land permanent exhibit at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville. It is with honor that I continue to serve on the board of directors of the East Tennessee Historical Society.

It is my hope that you enjoy the read yourself, share the stories with others, and that all learn the history of a most unusual and unique experience that placed Oak Ridge amidst, equally in their own right unusual and unique, Appalachian communities. The result of this happenstance is truly historic.

The resulting interactions, complimentary support, joint growth efforts and other results of the mixing of cultures over the past 70 years has produced a truly intriguing historical kaleidoscope of most interesting stories, all too often undocumented and thus lost within a generation. These volumes are an attempt to prevent that loss.

I hope you agree that 2014 Historically Speaking has succeeded in capturing history that will be enjoyed and appreciated by readers now and for generations to come.

Ray Smith

2014 Historically Speaking is available for purchase online directly from the publisher at www.lulu.com/smithdray, at my website www.DRaySmith.com or also by contacting me directly by e-mail at draysmith@comcast.net or by phone at 865-482-4224.

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee, an Oak Ridge icon of trained listeners, part 2

(As published in The Oak Ridger’s Historically Speaking column on January 6, 2014)

Continuing to recognize the 40th anniversary of CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee, we take a look first at information from their web site and then explore personal experiences of some of the founding members of the organization.

On the CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee web site http://www.contactcarelinetn.org/ the following information can be found CONTACT Care Line is a free, confidential, nonjudgmental telephone helpline serving Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, and Union counties in East Tennessee. The hours of operation are 8 am to 11 pm, seven days a week.

"CONTACT volunteers answer approximately 10,000 calls annually from people needing a listening ear, a referral to community resources, or crisis intervention.

"People of all ages call CONTACT about loneliness, depression, loss of a loved one, mental illness, financial need and economic pressures, domestic violence, sexual abuse, homelessness, marriage problems, worries about their children, addiction, school and work related issues, and suicidal feelings.

"In addition to our helpline, CONTACT offers a special program, Reassurance CONTACT, for seniors, disabled persons, and other homebound individuals who live alone. Clients who apply for the service receive a daily call to check on their safety and well-being. For more information, call the business office at 865-312-7450.

"CONTACT received the East Tennessee PBS ‘Be More’ award in February 2013.

Now, let’s look at how the organization formed and developed over the past 40 years. I think you will enjoy the insights of these people who have been at the heart of this phenomenal organization of talented volunteers who help so many people regularly and routinely by just taking time to listen on the phone.

Lee Morris, who is one that has been involved from the very beginning, tells us of his experience in what he obviously considers a unique and special time in