Members of the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee (JROMC) gather Wednesday by Zoom to celebrate the 116th birthday of J. Robert Oppenheimer. From top left, Christine Hazard, Sara Scott, David Izraelevitz, Robert J. Thomsen, Wendee Brunish, Damon Giovanielli, Cheryl Rofer, Becky Shankland, Alison Pugmire and Patrice Goodkind. Courtesy/JROMC
The party is complete with a chocolate cake baked with the recipe from Edith Warner provided in Peggy Pond Church’s book.. Courtesy/JROMC
By ROBERT J. THOMSEN
JROMC
Members of the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee (JROMC) gathered by Zoom on Wednesday, April 22 to celebrate the 116th birthday of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The party was complete with a chocolate cake baked with the recipe from Edith Warner provided in Peggy Pond Church’s book about her.
Party goers provided their own libations, including a margarita served in a JRO vodka martini glass.
Toasts to the scientists at the Manhattan Project including J. Robert Oppenheimer, the women who supported the efforts, and to Edith Warner for the cake were followed by a traditional singing of “Happy Birthday” and blowing out of candles. It was a great occasion to reconnect with committee members and the great man himself from a safe distance.
The J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of Oppenheimer, the first director of the Manhattan Project.
JROMC members include Wendee Brunish, Steven J. Buelow, Vivien Chen (Secretary), Beth Fairbanks (Vice-Chair), J. Arthur Freed, Dean Gerber, Damon Giovanielli, Patrice Goodkind, Christine Hazard, Leon Heller, Jeffrey Howell, David Izraelevitz, Mauri Katz, Carolyn Mangeng, Alison Pugmire (Chair), Tom Ribe, Jeanne Robinson, Cheryl Rofer, Sara Scott, Becky Shankland, James TenCate, Robert Thomsen and Ron Wilkins (Treasurer).
Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904 and raised in New York City but spent many summers in the Sangre de Cristos Mountains. His familiarity with the Los Alamos Ranch School led to the decision to locate the Manhattan Project on the Pajarito Plateau. He, Kitty, and their children lived on Bathtub Row in the house just north of the Hans Bethe House.
Oppenheimer’s astute leadership was one of the key factors in the successful creation of the atomic weapons that helped to end World War II. Visit the websites for the JROMC, Los Alamos County Historical Museum, and the Bradbury Science Museum for more information about this interesting man.
Toasts to the scientists at the Manhattan Project including J. Robert Oppenheimer, the women who supported the efforts, and to Edith Warner for the cake were followed by a traditional singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ and blowing out of candles. It was a great occasion to reconnect with committee members and the great man himself from a safe distance. Courtesy/JROMC