Charlie Schmidt
2006 Maydew/Jeblick Recipient
Charlie
Schmidt has been a longtime supporter of the National Atomic Museum,
dating back to his tour of duty at Sandia Base, where he would
escort visitors down the road to the old museum site. A Navy veteran
(1958-1964), Charlie eventually held the rank of CWO-4.
During his military career, he specialized in many facets of
nuclear weapons; knowledge that he has brought with him to the
museum. During the later years of his military career, he was
assigned to the Field Command Defense Nuclear Agency at Kirtland
Air Force Base in Albuquerque where he was assigned to nuclear
weapon maintenance and quality assurance. Not one to sit still
for long, after retiring in 1984, he began consulting for the
Los Alamos Technical Associates where he continued to work with
nuclear weapon technologies. His work benefited not only the Navy,
Army, and Air Force, but Sandia National Labs as well.
Married to Margaret for the past 31 years, they raised two daughters
and made a life for themselves in the high desert well away from
the oceans he prowled for so many years. His knowledge of the
different nuclear devices makes him an irreplaceable resource
for the other docents. At the Museum, he frequently leads tours
for visitors with highly technical backgrounds including many
from other nations.
In addition to volunteering at the Museum, Charlie enjoys woodworking
and gun-smithing. When asked how a navy man ended up in the high
desert he likes to reply that he threw an anchor in the back of
his truck and when he got someplace where the people asked "what’s
that," that is where he chose to live. We look forward to
many more years of Charlie's presence at the Museum, and will
continue to value his contributions.
D. Ellett
2005 Maydew/Jeblick Recipient
Never
satisfied with sitting around with nothing to do, D. Ellett (he
prefers to be called D.) has become an indispensable volunteer
at the National Atomic Museum. He can be often found moving among
the exhibits offering his narratives and anecdotes to the visitors.
D.'s narratives and stories are not only from what he has studied
or read, they come from personal experience and decades of work
in the field of nuclear science.
In 1946, as a 2nd Lt. in the Corp of Engineers he was stationed
at the division of the Manhattan Project located in Albuquerque,
N.M. His work with Group Z-6 of what was to become the Los Alamos
Scientific Laboratory continued after his separation from the
Army. This meant that D. was an original employee of what was
to become Sandia National Laboratories.
Inspired by his work, he took some time off between 1949 and
1952 to earn an engineering degree from Yale University, but quickly
returned to Sandia Laboratories where he worked until he retired
in 1986. His background in all facets of nuclear science has made
him an invaluable asset around the National Atomic Museum. His
tireless dedication to the museum made D. an ideal candidate for
the Maydew/Jeblick Award in 2005. He continues to assist the museum
in expanding its exhibits to cover all nuclear science from the
nature of radiation, to nuclear medicine and reactors, as well
as, assisting in the planned relocation to a more permanent facility.
Patrons can still find D. on the exhibit floor offering whatever
he can to make the visit memorable.
George Vavra
2004 Maydew/Jeblick Recipient
Truly
a Jack-of-all-Trades, the 2004 Maydew/Jeblick award winner is
known around the museum as a George-of-all-NAM arenas because
of the many talents and contributions George Vavra brings to the
National Atomic Museum. George has been a dedicated volunteer,
docent, donor and NAM ambassador since 1999.
The education team at the museum has come to rely on George and
his faithful partner, Dick Brothwell, to deliver 95% of all the
Taste of Science programs both out in the schools and here in
the museum. George delights and educates young students with his
explanation of “Marshmallow Man”. Ever the loyal docent,
George is called upon and able to deliver any of the education
team’s offerings.
The exhibition team utilizes George’s handy man talents
in keeping our most intricate hands-on exhibits up and running
on the exhibition floor. George and Tom Salazar spent many hours
last year working out the kinks and links of the ball bearings
in the Amorphous Metal component of Strange Matter. After the
opening of Power Up!, George painstakingly fixed the manipulator
arm on a weekly basis.
As Einstein Society members, George and his wife Emily, support
the museum and the foundation. But more importantly, George displays
extraordinary level of personal commitment to our Museum worthy
of the prominent Maydew/Jeblick Service Award.
Dick Brothwell
2003 Maydew/Jeblick Recipient
Words
that come to mind
when describing Dick are conscientious, dedicated, dependable,
supportive, responsible, consistent, and yes maybe even bulldog!
A painful physical condition did not keep this winner from coming
in for his work. He served close to 500 hours each of the past
3 years in a broad variety of roles. Brothwell serves as the administrative
assistant to the Volunteer Coordinator, two mornings a week, when
he compiles volunteer and board hours, prepares the weekly schedule
and arranges for docents at various museum functions and programs.
Brothwell serves as a Taste of Science presenter at schools around
Albuquerque as well as a trainer for the program. He often serves
as a museum host at evening events. The museum also uses his carpentry
skills to build educational hands-on projects.
Our chosen role model brings a wry sense of humor to schoolchildren
during his numerous presentations. One can hear youthful giggles
as he describes delicious meatloaf sundaes during World War II:
ice cream dumped on top of the main course in mess kits lacking
a dessert section.
Dick has proven himself to be a sterling model of a dedicated
volunteer. He is a true asset and has added enormous value to
National Atomic Museum programs and to the Staff.
Hal Behl
2002 Maydew/Jeblick Recipient
Hal
Behl has been a volunteer and Foundation Board member since 1993.
He is tenacious and dedicated, and is responsible for acquiring
numerous objects we have on display. He has also supported the
education programs by acquiring educational materials on x-rays,
rockets, missiles and the space program. Hal is a member
of the Museum Board. He is responsible for the donations that
made the nuclear medicine exhibit possible. He acquired several
of the missiles in our collections, as well as several grants
for their ongoing maintenance. In addition to enhancing Museum
collections and programs, Hal also initiated recognition and awards
for science fair participants.
Hal has attended numerous conferences at distant sites, representing
the museum in the Exhibit area. He tirelessly promotes and solicits
support for the Museum at every opportunity. He personally supports
the Museum financially, as well, as a Curie level member.
Jean Tower
2001 Maydew/Jeblick Award Recipient
The
childhood nickname of “Sunny” certainly fits a woman
who is always pleasant, assisting cheerfully wherever needed,
without regard for recognition or thanks. Jean joined the Volunteer
Team in 1997, and immediately became an important part of the
NAM Team. In a time of limited resources and “stretching”
of existing staff, she has helped to insure the caliber of our
programs as well as the “sanity” of the staff.
Jean assists in almost every special event and program, helping
to plan, implement, photograph and even clean up. She has helped
to pack exhibits, o set up training, staff off-site exhibit booths,
has assisted with educational programs, and helps with any level
of support work needed at any time- none too small for her to
cheerfully pitch in to accomplish. Jean established and updates
a volunteer profiles book.
She is a positive supporter for the Museum, and has promoted
NAM in her networks, both formally and informally. As an Einstein
Society member, she has supported the Museum financially, and
has been known to see a need and donate from her own possessions.
She is an exemplary volunteer, and deserves to be recognized for
the many ways in which she has given of herself to enhance our
Museum, support our programs, and to assist the paid staff.
Gerry Taylor
2000 Maydew/Jeblick Award Recipient
Gerry
Taylor received the first Maydew/Jeblick Award at the Quarterly
Volunteer Meeting on June 20, 2000, for his outstanding volunteer
service to the National Atomic Museum. Contributing an average
of 1000 hours per year, Gerry’s work for the Museum has
included Board membership, Tour Committee Chairman, Volunteer
Chairman, Educational Tour Guide, and Lobby Desk Staff. His engaging
style, vast knowledge and perpetual enthusiasm as a docent have
resulted in numerous thank you letters and requests by groups
ranging in age from 5 to 80 years.
He frequently speaks in public in support of the
Museum (many are out-of-state engagements), and has personally
recruited several new volunteers and Foundation members (he is
a Curie Level Member). In addition, his leadership and vision
as Scientific Tour Chairman have helped to create a greatly expanded
and successful tour program. Gerry has volunteered at almost every
level, helping with administrative support, setups, off-site exhibits,
and moving activities, and more. He has significantly contributed
to the success of the National Atomic Museum.
Gerry has also supported the Museum financially in its highest
annual category: the Curie level. He was the unanimous staff choice
for the inauguration of this prestigious award.
