ERNEST ATHERTON BRYANT Oct. 13, 1931 – July 27, 2022

Ernest Bryant was born Oct. 13, 1931 in Brewster, Massachusetts. He was very proud that his 13th birthday fell on Friday the 13th. His family moved to a farm in Maine where he and his siblings rose early every day to feed 600 chickens and gather the eggs.

He then attended the University of New Mexico where he met and married Bobbie M. Richards. After finishing graduate work, focused on nuclear chemistry, at Washington University in St. Louis he was hired by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.

Besides working at nuclear test sites, Ernest worked on Project Rover. He was the first Group Leader of CNC-7, which concentrated on areas that combined elements of nuclear or isotope chemistry with geochemistry. He also spent a few months at the Institut für Radiochemie in Munich.

Ernest enjoyed skiing, hunting, and fixing or making things. He planned and did a good portion of the building of his former house in La Senda. He was active in the Investment Club, as well as a Gourmet club.

After he retired, in 1991, Ernest did volunteer building and repair work for Habitat for Humanity. He was a tax-aide volunteer for 25 years. Returning to the violin, Ernest was able to play with the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra. He was also a champion pickleball player in the Senior Olympics. He loved to travel and even took a trip to Antarctica.

Ernest Bryant leaves behind his two children: Colleen A. Bryant of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Conrad A. Bryant of Lawai, Hawaii.

Written by Colleen A. Bryant and Conrad A. Bryant