Manhattan Project Chemist Cowan Dies

Time: 04-22-2012 19:40 User: dalbrecht PubDate: 04-23-2012 Zone: KY Edition: 1 Page Name: B4 Color: CyanMagentaYellowBlack B4 | MONDAY,APRIL 23, 2012 | THE COURIER-JOURNAL DEATHS | courier-journal.com KY Manhattan Project BertWeedon, British chemist Cowandies guitarist, dead at 91 By Matt Schudel and “Nashville Boogie.” make the guitar the most By Susan Montoya Bryan started in one of the world’sexperts The Washington Post But when his instructional popular instrument in the Associated Press 1949 as asci- on nuclear weapons diag- book was first published world,” Weedon said in entist and nostics by 1956, according Bert Weedon, aBritish in 1957, he became some- 1997. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — went on to to abiography from the lab. guitarist whose popular thing of aspiritual godfa- Herbert Maurice Wee- Not much escaped the in- serve as a “We can truly say that “Play in aDay” instruc- ther to ageneration of don was born in London on fluence of chemist George director of our country lost atrue hero tional manual introduced would-be guitar heroes. May 10,1920. His father Cowan, who was devoted to chemistry today,” former U.S. Sen. ageneration of rock stars Its title — “Play in a was asubway driver and finding away for science to and as asso- Pete Domenici said in a to the power of the guitar, Day” —offered the hope amateur singer. help society. ciate lab di- Cowan statement. “He cannot be died Friday at his home in of instant musical gratifi- Weedon was 12 when he From the Manhattan rector of re- replaced, but let’shope he Beaconsfield, England. cation. The lessons began bought asecondhand gui- Project and the hunt for ev- search. left footprints for us to fol- He was 91. at the most basic level, tar.Hewanted to learn to idence of the Soviet Union’s After doing graduate low.” Friends confirmed his with an illustration of how play jazz, but his first first nuclear tests, to the studies at Princeton, Co- Cowan was appointed to death to British news to hold aguitar.Weedon teacher —anelderly mu- Santa Fe Institute and the wan continued his nuclear the White House Science agencies but did not dis- taught novices how to get sic-shop owner —refused iconic Santa Fe Opera, research as part of the top- Council during the Reagan close the cause. through many rock songs to teach him anything but friends recalled the fruits secret Manhattan Project administration. Long before Weedon with three basic chords classical music. of his visionary ways. that developed the atomic It was during one of his gained fame as the author and included pointers on “He picked up his gui- Cowan died Friday at bomb. According to the meetings with the council of atop-selling guide to the how to play afew basic tar and played Chopin’s his home in Los Alamos. He Santa Fe Institute, Cowan that he looked around the guitar,hewas known as a tunes. Prelude No. 7,” Weedon was 92. was atroubleshooter for room and thought about the versatile performer who His guide, which was told London’sDaily Mail Friends said his death the effort at various re- need to educate the next could play virtually any updated through the newspaper in 1995. “Ihad was the result of afall at his search sites around the generation of scientists to style of music at aglance. 1980s, sold millions of never heard anything so home. Cowan was in good country and was among the ensure the government He performed with re- copies, leading Britain’s beautiful in my life. Isat health, and he was planning few people who had knowl- would continue to have a nowned jazz artists such Independent newspaper transfixed, and he said: to travel and continue edge of the bomb’ssepa- valuable cadre of advisers. as Stephane Grappelli and to call Weedon “the man ‘That’swhat I’m going to working with the nonprofit rate components. Conversations about the George Shearing; accom- who taught the world to teach you.’ And Isaid: science institute he helped Cowan arrived at Los formation of the Santa Fe panied singers Frank Si- play the guitar.” ‘Yes, please.’ ” found in 1984. Alamos National Laborato- Institute followed, some of natra, Rosemary Clooney Many top rock stars, in- By 14,Weedon was per- “It’svery sudden, very ry in 1949 and within weeks them being held in the di- and Judy Garland; and cluding Eric Clapton; forming in dance bands. unexpected. An enormous began directing efforts to rector’sconference room was aregular on BBC Mark Knopfler; Keith He was afeatured soloist loss,” said close friend and turn up radioactive fallout on the fourth floor at Los broadcasts in the 1940s Richards; the Who’sPete before World WarII. He institute co-founder David in samples that were col- Alamos Lab. “He had areal and 1950s. Townshend; and three of volunteered with rescue Pines. “The world is dimin- lected near the Soviet bor- instinct for who was a Weedon was an early the Beatles —George Har- units during the London ished for all of us who knew der.What Cowan and his promising scientist and rock guitar star in Britain rison, John Lennon and bombing blitz and, after him.” team detected indicated who was not and this was in the late 1950s, with ase- Paul McCartney —stud- the war,replaced Django Cowan worked at Los the Soviets had anuclear invaluable to him as he be- ries of instrumental hits ied Weedon’sbook. Reinhardt in agroup led Alamos National Laborato- bomb. came amanager at Los Ala- that included “Guitar Boo- “Ilike to think that I’ve by Grappelli, aprominent ry for nearly 40 years. He Cowan was considered mos,” Pines said. gie Shuffle,” “Apache” helped in some way to jazz violinist. FERGUSON, ETHEL E. (AEBI), �� METRO Joseph Messina, 89 INDIANA Ozell Yates Briggs, 85 Lillian Rose Shreve Britt Vires Sr., 77 Robert E. “Bob” Burt, 69 Charlene Morris-Martin, 82 Sandridge, 85 BRIGGS, OZELL YATES, Marvin Lloyd Coffey,87 Anna L. Carter,87 85, of Louisville, formerly of Stockton, CA, Clarence “Juni” Dini, 47 Jean F. Price, 91 DarrellWayne Feller,76 passed Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Epis- PhyllisJean Whittaker,78 86, of South Louisville, passed from this life copal Church Home. Cpl. Aaron M. Faust, 22 Joyce Carol Saylor,62 ShirleyGwendolyn on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at home with lov- Ozellwas aretired college administrator with Ethel E. (Aebi) Ferguson, 86 Kimberly Susan Speaker, 46 ing family by her side. many yearsofservice. Goldman, 83 William D. Hammer Sr., 93 Born on June 20, 1925, the daughter of She was preceded in death by her husband, James D. “Jimmy” Tackett, 52 Robert “Bob” Hayden Arthur and Willanna Aebi, and the second of Norman Briggs in 2009. Mary Ann Bradshaw Houpt, 85 Mary Catherine Bartlett Voll, 87 Milam,73 ten children, Ethel was ahomemaker and mar- Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Ralph Patrick “Pat” Kirchner,58 ried for 48 years to Willard B. Ferguson. She Laura B. LeLaurin (Stephen); two brothers, Linda Kay (Lenihan) Dorothy Mae “Parkey” was known for her vivacious early years, her Eugene and Leslie Yates; two grandchildren, KENTUCKY wonderful cooking, great sense of humor and Amanda Prescott and Mark Brown; and two Langston, 64 Wade, 85 See page B5 her love of teapots and music. great-grandchildren, Caroline and Annabel Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Brown. Willard; her sons, Willard Scott and Stephen Services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Sat- Lee; her brothers, Russell, Bud, Bill and John urday, April 28, 2012 atthe Cave Hill Ceme- Aebi; and by her sisters, Wilma Jones and tery Chapel in Louisville. DINI, CLARENCE “JUNI,” Willanna "Tootsie" Warren. Arch L. Heady &Son at Westport Village 47, went to be with the Lord, Friday, April 20, Left to cherishher memory are her daughters, has been entrusted with arrangements. COFFEY, MARVIN LLOYD, 2012, after along illness. Linda Hargan (Horace) and Donna Pickerill Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzhe- 87, formerly of south He was alifelong resident of Fairdale and a (Ricky); her sisters, Ora Elaine "Totsie" Bisig, imers Association. Louisville, passed away member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Della Ferguson Myers (Ray), and Betty Whit- Please visit us at into eternal rest, Thurs- He was preceded in death by his father, Clar- ener (Cotton); grandchildren, Scott and Jenni- www.archlheadywestport.com to leave acon- day, April 19, 2012. ence E. Dini. fer Hargan, Abby Ferguson, Matt (Erin) and dolence for the family. He was aretired super- Juni is survived by his mother, Cathy Dini; Jamie Pickerill; great-grandchildren, Anthony, visor for Cissell Manu- sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Bob New; Mindi, Brandon, and Sarah Hargan; and many facturing, where he had nephews, Kyle and Cory New. nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law worked for over 40 and friends. years, aWorld War II Funeral services will be 7p.m. Tuesday at Fairdale-McDaniel Funeral Home, 411 Fair- Aservice to celebrate Ethel's life will be held Army veteran, past at 12 p.m. Wednesday in the Southern Chapel master of George dale Rd. with cremation to follow. Visitation will be noon Tuesday, until time of service. of Arch L. Heady &Son, 3601 Taylor Blvd. Washington Masonic Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. BURT, ROBERT E. “BOB,” Lodge #904 and along time faithful member In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy 69, died peacefully in his may be made to the family. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and of Hazelwood Baptist Church, where he had after 10 a.m.

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