JOHN KEPHART April 12, 1927 – March 31, 2013

John “Jack” Kephart, a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away at home Sunday, March 31, 2013, 85 years, 11 months and 19 days after his birth in Evanston, IL, and 60 years, 7 months and 19 days after his arrival in Los Alamos.

He grew up in Berrien Springs, Mich., and his love of math and science led him to study physics at the University of Michigan, where he completed a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Physics.

After a brief stint of employment with Boeing in Seattle, he moved to Los Alamos in 1952 where he worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory until his retirement.

John loved the outdoors, and cherished hiking and backpacking in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado, and kayaking at Lake Powell and on the Green River.

He also enjoyed woodworking, bridge, politics and philosophy, and took great delight in mental calculations of just about anything.

He was never bored, realizing that there are always interesting things to question, learn, or puzzle about if you just look around and explore.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Nicola, and is survived by his wife of 53 years, 5 months, 29 days and 30 minutes, Joyce; his sons George (and his wife Monique) of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Philip of Albuquerque; his grandchildren Tom, Bonnie, George, Monika, Loic, Isabel, and Yann; and his five great grandchildren.

This summer his family will hold a reunion in the mountains of Colorado to celebrate and remember his life. If you wish to make a memorial donation, we suggest Hospice House (Los Alamos Visiting Nurses.)