A Biography of Dr. John M. Googin - Y-12 National Security ...

FYI
place to work. I have worked with many of them, but John was outstanding. We all worked so hard and together, sharing
and caring. “Working with Others” was already instilled in us.
Whenever an occasion arose where contributions were needed for a worthy cause, John was one of the first to
contribute and gave most generously. He often asked what Development was going to do before anyone came to him.
John was a very devoted family man. He often referred to his “girls”, and his wife, the former Janet Horn who worked
as a medical technician in Y-12 when they met and who was his main girl. He enjoyed family activities. Once while doing
the “twist” with one of his daughters a little accident resulted in a broken or fractured foot for him.
At quitting time on Thursday afternoon before his death on Sunday, Dick Bell, John, and I were talking in Bell’s office.
The conversation involved changes noted. I am happy that the last things I said to Googin were things he already had
heard but appropriate to the conversation. I told him he was one of a kind and I would always remember how he
treated the little man the same as the big one in any dealings, and that one thing in his character would always stand
out, his honesty and sincerity, something that is rare. Then in his usual witty way he said, “Helen, I remember when you
had toe trouble.”
An interior designer would have “gotten lost” in his office. A photograph should have been taken of his office before
the “dismantling of documents” took place. To those who knew him, you knew that immediately he could put his finger
on any one item of interest that could be in the mighty and high stack of papers, reports, magazines, and books on his
tables and desk as well as the exact location in his classified file. Some have said that the unclassified collection he left
was a treasure. Who knows what his latest document or documents in preparation may contain.
The Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant has been fortunate to have had a man named John Melvin Googin who shouldered much
responsibility, used his vast knowledge and scientific expertise, used his down-to-earth reasoning and understanding, was
a dedicated and loyal American citizen, who always had a ready smile, and who helped his fellow man on the local,
national, and international levels. WE OWE HIM A LOT. Helen M. Claffey
Googin’s ability to ask the wrong question at the right time, The Googin Mystique.
Dr. John’s position at the center of many human networks, John’s willingness to help others in both technical and
personal areas, his sense of humor and irony,
But I come up short.
I have thought about telling an anecdote:
The time I had to cleanse his office of radioactive materials due to ALARA. I waited till he was gone and did the deed
but he didn’t speak to me for some time.
His love for chocolate so much that he would take a spoon of unsweetened cocoa and a spoon of sugar together.
The many times I received counsel both personal and professional.
FYI 12