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

FYI
Written in appreciation of Dr. Googin
To a few you are a tyrant
With a heavy handed touch
With a grip of a bulldog
And opinions over much
A citadel of office books
Surround your computered room
Sometimes in your pronouncements
I see Ralph Nader with a broom
Usually, though, you’ll simply say
“Don’t repeat the jaded past”
“The library’s just over there
A hundred experts it you’d ask
But to the one who could use some help,
You offer a guiding hand
You are the one who listens
No matter your other demands
For you always take the time
To inspire, direct and teach
On subjects without bond
To any who would seek
Perhaps your most lasting accomplishment
Will not be the things that you said
FYI 24
But rather the fruits of your listening
Will bear in the action of others instead
A sounding board for all ideas,
Genius as well as pranks
From all like us who value your gift
Our never ending thanks
We can only give a memory
When all is said and done
All goals in life are fleeting
That is, all save one
Countless times whether won or lost
In delight or utter despair
It’s the memories of how we’ve lived
And whether anyone cared
I have a memory of a teacher
Who listened wise and strong
And helped to make a better world
And if I listened, helped me along
Yes now he is only a Memory
A powerful purpose complete
For many he taught the keys to success
And how to accept defeat
Dean K. Little
One of the most fascinating days I have had at work during the last 13 years was the day I attended a tour of the
Calutrons in Beta-3 given by Dr. Googin. The tour group was very small and we were able to ask a lot of questions and
discuss a wide range of things that day. . .details about how equipment and materials were handled, about the spy that
was uncovered working in 9212, social activities during the war effort days, how he (Dr. Googin) got his wife to agree to
buy him a platinum wedding band, and how Sadaam Hussein’s uranium enrichment effort was discovered and how
certain details of their process ultimately hindered its success. I was fascinated with his every word that day and felt like
a spellbound child having a fabulous story read to them. I remember feeling especially fortunate that day and privileged
to have had the opportunity to participate in such an “intimate” tour and to share in the knowledge and experiences
of such a wonderfully individualistic, witty, brilliant, and yet savvy man. And, being an innately curious person prone