Dick Burick, former deputy Laboratory director for operations, died Thursday in Los Alamos. Burick served the Laboratory for 25 years. During this time, his duties ran the gamut: He worked on isotope separation programs; he helped develop particle beams, including one that would go into space and help secure the United States' advantage during the Cold War; he also served as a deputy associate director; directed the Engineering Sciences and Applications (ESA) Division; and eventually took charge of Laboratory operations as a deputy director. That last job included the demanding task of maintaining continuity at the Lab during and after the Cerro Grande Fire. His fondest memories come from working on the Beam Experiment Aboard Rocket (BEAR) Project, which put a small particle accelerator in space, a feat many said couldn't be done. He retired from the Laboratory in January 2002.Services are pending, but will be announced in the Daily Newsbulletin as soon as the information becomes available.
To read a feature article on Burick that appeared in the Los Alamos NewsLetter (page 8), click here.