Nerses ‘Krik’ Krikorian. Courtesy Atomic Heritage Foundation

Staff Report

Renowned Los Alamos National Laboratory chemist Nerses “Krik” Krikorian died Wednesday at his home in Los Alamos at the age of 97.

He was a refugee from Europe, Manhattan Project veteran, postwar nuclear program worker, chemist and spouse to a Manhattan Project worker.

After World War II, Krikorian was approached to join the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. He arrived Aug. 19, 1946 at 109 East Palace in Santa Fe.

He met his future wife Katherine “Pat” Patterson at Los Alamos.

Read more about Krikorian here and here.

In an April 19 message to LANL employees, Director Terry Wallace shared the following:

Yesterday, Nerses “Krik” Krikorian passed away at the age of 97 at his home in Los Alamos. Many of you knew and worked with Krik—he was a giant in the world of national security science and the Los Alamos community.

Krik began his career as a uranium chemist working for the Manhattan Project at Union Carbide in New York. After the war he made his way to Los Alamos, where he spent the rest of his career—first as a scientist and then as an intelligence analyst in the newly formed intelligence unit. He contributed enormously to the mission of the Laboratory, and I can say with confidence it’s a better place because of him.

As we celebrate our 75 years as a Laboratory, few people have been more impactful on our history than Krik. He leaves an enduring legacy that will continue far into the future.

Editor’s note: Funeral service information is pending.