Thomas C. Atchison ’44

Tom died Aug. 2, 2015, in Minneapolis.

At Princeton he studied mathematics and graduated with high honors in 1943. Tom was in Whig-Clio, the Figure Skating Club, and Key and Seal. After graduation he worked in naval research and the development of underwater weaponry and was involved in the Bikini Atoll hydrogen-bomb test as a lieutenant junior grade after World War II. He was recalled for 17 months during the Korean War and stayed in the Reserve, eventually retiring as a commander.

Tom married Nancy Overstreet in 1950, and they had three children. During his career he lived mainly in Edina, Minn., where he was on the board of the World Federalists of Minnesota. For many years, he was with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and he retired as director of the Twin Cities Mining Research Center. Tom traveled to scientific meetings in China, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Australia. He devoted much of his time to peace and environmental organizations.

Family and friends remember Tom as a kind and gentle man. He is survived by Nancy, son Thomas and daughter-in-law Cindy, son David and daughter-in-law Chris, daughter Carol Hemingway, sister Shirley Wells, and five grandchildren.