Category: April

NAVAJO-UTE NUCLEAR PHYSICIST CLEVER FOX (FRED BEGAY) DIED

Born July 2, 1932, at Towaoc, Colorado, on the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation, Fred served in the US Air Force from 1951-1955.  From University of New Mexico, he earned a doctorate in nuclear physics before joining the staff of Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1971.  He held fellowships at Stanford University and University of Maryland, and also served in leadership, advisory, and research roles with tribal, university, and Federal scientific programs.  His life was the subject of the following films, Nation within a Nation (1972); In Our Native Land (1973); The Long Walk of Fred Young-Begay (1978); and Dancing with Photons (1997).  Featured in the National Geographic Magazine (1987), he received the Ely Parker Award (1992); Lifetime Achievement Award, National Science Foundation (1994); and Distinguished Scientist Award, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (1999).  He finally served as president, Seaborg Hall of Science.   Fred died in New Mexico.

Source:  “Dr. Fred Begay, Obituary,” Legacy.com.  Retrieved 6/28/2019, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lamonitor/obituary.aspx?n=fred-begay&pid=164723406
Photo:  LeRoy N. Sanchez, Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Photograph taken by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.