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George Junior Alkire
03/17/1917 — 09/20/2007
From Olympia, WA, US | Born in Missoula, Montana
George Junior Alkire
George Junior Alkire died peacefully September 20, 2007.
George was born in Missoula, Montana to his parents, George and Dolly Alkire, on March 17, 1917. He married Esther June Finsand of Macrorie, Saskatchewan on April 4, 1942 in Spokane.
George earned a B.S. from Walla Walla College; a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon; and a PhD. in Chemistry from Ohio State University. George worked at the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during World War II.
In 1948, George, Esther and two-year-old son, Tom, moved from Ohio to Richland, Washington. Two other sons Bill and Richard were born in the early 1950s. George worked at the Hanford project for more than three decades as a nuclear chemist. As a manager, he worked at General Electric Co. and Battelle Northwest, and Westinghouse Hanford Co. George addressed a number of papers at professional associations, including a conference at Vienna, Austria.
George and Esther were devoted to one another, their family and friends. His family and friends remember him for his amiable manner and thoughtful conversations. His love of the outdoor life included fishing, camping, tennis, golf, astronomy, boating and RV adventures. Their travels took them to all 50 states and five continents.
Over the years George was a member of Central United Protestant Church, Meadow Springs Country Club and Clover Island Yacht Club. George lived in Richland until 2005 when he moved to a retirement home in Olympia, Washington.
Survivors include three married sons and seven grandchildren: Tom, Dyann, Michael and Natalie of Portland, Oregon; Bill, Wilma, Darren, Marie of Olympia, Washington; Richard, Roxanne, Kendra, Trevor and Ryan of Maple Valley, Washington. George is also survived by a nephew, Dennis Alkire of Lihue, Kauai.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Esther J. Alkire, in 2002; his parents, brothers Russell and Erwin and sister Lorene Godbold.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Protestant Church, 1124 Stevens Drive, Richland, Washington. at 2pm, September 29, 2007.
On behalf of the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Alkire family for your loss. George was a past chair of our section, a pioneer in the chemical industry, and a friend to many of us. His loss will be deeply felt by all.
Jeff Woodford, chair
Anna Cavinato, past chair
Sam Bryan, past chair
Tim Hubler, past chair
Richard Hermens, Councilor and past chair
On behalf of the Richland Section of the American Chemical Society, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Alkire family for your loss. George was a past chair of our section, a pioneer in the chemical industry, and a friend to many of us. His loss will be deeply felt by all.
Jeff Woodford, chair
Anna Cavinato, past chair
Sam Bryan, past chair
Tim Hubler, past chair
Richard Hermens, Councilor and past chair
George was an outstanding professional. He was a respected member of the American Chemical Society, participating in many of the activities and supporting others.He was a major contributor to the technical success of the Hanford Project and most respected for his contributions. He will be remembered by his peers.
Our sympathy and condolences to his family.
Alkire Familes…
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad.
Gary Behymer
Class of 1964
It’s been my pleasure to know George for a good while, however not long enough. I will miss his gentle manner and shining countenance. We should all follow his lead..
My sincerest condolences to Tom & the entire Alkire Family on the passing of their father. I have fond memories as a youngster of visiting the Alkire home.
Glad I got to meet George and share some conversations with him when he was at Alterra. He was a good man. My condolences to the family.
Brother in Law George and Uncle George was a true Gentle Man. We loved him and we will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with
Tom , Bill and Richard and their families.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to my cousins – Tom, Bill, Richard and families.
I have some wonderful memories of time spent with my Uncle George. I won’t forget my visits to Richland as a young girl and the many Finsand Family functions where uncle George was always in attendance. He was a very kind, warm and generous man.
Love cousin Sue
also Steve, Jared, Taryn, Jordan and Tyler
Nice memorial, Tom. One heck of a life! Take care.
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George Junior Alkire