I have the sad duty to report to all interested people here the recent
death of Dr. Vincent P. Guinn, a much-revered figure in the world of neutron
activation analysis. Dr. Guinn is perhaps best known here for his seminal
work in analyzing and interpreting the elemental composition of the lead
fragments from the JFK assassination, but his experience with NAA went far
beyond that. Here is a biography sent around to some of us by a branch of
the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, edited slightly for
privacy.
Ken Rahn, An Unashamed Fan of Dr. Guinn
****************
VINCENT P. GUINN, 1917-2002
The activation analysis community, particularly its older members--many of
whom knew him
personally--will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Professor
Vincent P. Guinn ("Vince" to all his many friends) on 7 November 2002 just
two days short of his 85th birthday. The memorial service and interment took
place in Clarksville, Maryland on 10 November 2002.
Besides being an outstanding scientist and devoted educator, Vince was a
dear friend to many and a loving and considerate husband and father. He will
be sorely missed by his family, friends and many colleagues around the
world. Those wishing to do so may express their condolences to his widow,
Maria Gavrilas-Guinn.
Vince may truly be described as one of the founding fathers of activation
analysis. He was thoroughly passionate about both his profession and
education. Often he expressed a desire to motivate young researchers in his
fields of analytical radiochemistry and forensics. To honor Vince's wishes,
a memorial fund has been established: Vincent P. Guinn Memorial Fund,
American Nuclear Society, Attn: Mr. Christian Krapp, 555 North Kensington
Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526, USA. The fund will be used to assist
students pursuing research in these areas.
Yes, indeed, thank you for sharing this information. Dr. Guinn was an
absolute pioneer in many aspects of neutron activation analysis, including
the forensic use of this powerful tool. His was a life that counted.
Joel Grant
>To All,
>
> I have the sad duty to report to all interested people here the recent
>death of Dr. Vincent P. Guinn, a much-revered figure in the world of neutron
>activation analysis. Dr. Guinn is perhaps best known here for his seminal
>work in analyzing and interpreting the elemental composition of the lead
>fragments from the JFK assassination, but his experience with NAA went far
>beyond that. Here is a biography sent around to some of us by a branch of
>the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, edited slightly for
>privacy.
>
>Ken Rahn, An Unashamed Fan of Dr. Guinn
Thanks for letting us know, Ken .....
Bests,
Barb :-)
What about J. Lawrence Angel?? Was his a life that counted??
John Hunt
True indeed.In life he must have been greatly saddened to learn that the
results of his initial free offering of the application of his new science
had been suppresssed and defended as "Secret" by the Justice Dep't all the
way to the Supreme Court.It took Harold Weisberg and his Counsel Jim Lesar
over 13 years to get some of the suppressed results released.Perhaps all
should read Weisberg's chapter 30 in his book, 'Post-Mortem'entitled the
"New Science".I do recall that Dr. Guinn said later,(for the HSCA as I
recall), "I have no control over such things".
Ritchie