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Memorial Tributes Volume 15 (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Thomas H. Pigford 1922-2010
Pages 328-333

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From page 329...
... Pigford's five-decade career in nuclear engineering spanned reactor design, nuclear safety, fuel cycles, and radioactive waste management. at Uc Berkeley, Pigford led a research program to develop the theoretical means for predicting the long-term behavior of radioactive and chemical waste in underground disposal sites.
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From page 330...
... "He knew a nuclear program couldn't be viable if safety problems were ignored. i admired him beyond measure." Pigford was one of the first to develop nuclear chemical engineering as an important subdiscipline of nuclear technology at a time when President eisenhower was pushing strongly for nuclear power.
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From page 331...
... Wilson award, given by the american institute of chemical engineers for outstanding chemical-engineering contributions and achievements in the nuclear industry; election to the georgia institute of Technology engineering Hall of fame; and the Berkeley citation. He was cofounder and charter member of the american Nuclear society, to which he was elected a fellow in 1971.
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From page 332...
... Tom's brother robert, who predeceased him, also was an Nae member. elizabeth Pigford wrote: "He had a brilliant mind, a compassionate heart, an exuberant curiosity about absolutely everything, a puckish and playful wit, a strong and spirited will, an irrepressible sense of humor, a rock solid sense of honor, a unique creative energy, a keen insight into others, a delight in nature, sports, books and music, a quiet inexhaustible courage.
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Key Terms

  • nuclear policy
  • manson benedict
  • nuclear chemical
  • nuclear technology
  • radioactive waste

  • georgia institute
  • influential voice
  • disposal sites
  • pigford led
  • engineering department

  • firm based
  • elizabeth hood
  • underground disposal
  • received throughout
  • spent fuel

  • hood weekes
  • cum laude
  • eugene wilkinson
  • nuclear submarine
  • strongly antinuclear

  • theoretical means
  • technology research
  • waste management
  • engineering hall
  • dedicated gardener

  • nonprofit organization
  • entire fuel
  • admiral eugene
  • finally decommissioned
  • berkeley faculty


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