K.C. Brooks to Retire June 30, 1972
Jean and K. C. Brooks at farewell party on June 23. Photo courtesy A. Mravca
The tall, distinguished-looking gentleman who has headed the Atomic Energy Commission's office on the NAL site since July of 1968, will retire on June 30. Kennedy C. Brooks ("K.C." to all) will end a career that began in 1935 with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. His service with the AEC started in 1946 at Oak Ridge, Tenn.; he transferred to Paducah, Ky. in 1951, and to the AEC headquarters, Washington, D.C., in 1962 until he came to NAL.
The Chicago operations office of the AEC sponsored a farewell party for the Brookses on Friday, June 24. At the party, Mr. Brooks was presented with a shillelagh by Dr. Robert R. Wilson. Dr. Wilson also announced that he is naming the reservoir north of the Meson Lab "Casey's Pond."
A man of quiet dignity, loved and respected by all who work with him, K.C.'s broad range of experience contributed much to the success of NAL's construction. But the satisfaction is mutual. According to K.C., "I've certainly been fortunate to end my career on a project such as this. It has been a real privilege to help Bob Wilson build this laboratory."
And what does K.C. hope will be accomplished at the laboratory he helped build? "I hope you will be able to use this machine to get closer to the cure for cancer...I think this is very possible."
The best wishes of the NAL staff go with the Brookses as they launch their second career.