In Memoriam
December 8, 2025 / February 1, 2026
We are saddened to report the passing of our dear friend, mentor, and colleague, Kenneth L. “Ken” Nash, radiochemist and former Chair of the NUCL Division (2012). Ken passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, at Haven Hospice Care Center, with his loving family at his side. Ken was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose generosity of spirit inspired […]
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September 8, 2025 / October 20, 2025
Today, the NUCL Division pauses to honor the life and legacy of 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗖. 𝗛𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗺𝗮𝗻—a pioneering radiochemist, inspiring mentor, and strong leader in our field. Darleane’s career reshaped nuclear and radiochemistry, from groundbreaking discoveries—including her role in confirming the discovery of Seaborgium—to decades spent mentoring and building the community. As one of the most prominent 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, […]
June 18, 2025 / July 20, 2025
Raymond K. Sheline, 93, died on Feb. 10 in Fort Myers, Fla. C&EN has published an obituary, as has the Tallahassee Democrat.
June 18, 2025 / August 11, 2025
Heino Nitsche, a long-time senior scientist with the Nuclear Sciences Division and a professor with the University of California Berkeley Chemistry Department, passed away quietly and unexpectedly at home in his sleep on July 15, 2014. His death was reported by his wife Martha Boccalini. A native of Germany, Nitsche joined Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1980 after earning his […]
June 18, 2025
John R. Huizenga passed away at the age of 92, peacefully, in his sleep. He had lost strength during the prior months but until last was able to enjoy communication, love and care by his family gathering around him in La Jolla, CA. You are aware of John’s seminal scientific contributions to nuclear physics, starting from his early involvement in […]
The NUCL division has lost a good friend and patron. Lester R. Morss, Ph.D., passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Lester was Chair of the division in 1999, and served as Secretary from 1990-1992. Lester was also a strong advocate for the Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer Schools program, which have been sponsored by the NUCL division since 1984. Lester […]
David Karraker, 91, passed away Friday, February 27, 2015. Born August 17, 1923, in Anna, Illinois, to the late Wallace and Margaret Browne Karraker. His undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University were interrupted by service in the US Army during World War II, but he returned to complete his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. David continued his studies at the University […]
May 4, 2017 / March 5, 2025
Donald Orth passed away on Sunday April 9, 2017 at the age of 93. A student of Seaborg, and an early scientist at SRS, Westinghouse later created an award named for him. Don was an ACS and NUCL division member, and an at-large member of the ACS Executive Committee from 1967-69 and 1976-78. The full obituary can be read online.
November 1, 2015 / July 20, 2025
Greg Choppin, 87, passed away October 21, 2015, surrounded by his family. Born November 7, 1927 in Eagle Lake, Texas. Greg’s undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago were interrupted by service in the Army during the post-WW2 occupation of Japan. Greg returned to study chemistry at the University of Texas, earning a Ph.D. before completing a post-doc and working as […]