Beverly Agnew dies at 91

October 18, 2011—Beverly Agnew, the wife of the Laboratory's third director, Harold Agnew, died October 11 in Solana Beach, California, where the Agnews have lived for more than 30 years.

Beverly Agnew was a Manhattan Project Lab employee who worked in the office of LANL's first director, J. Robert Oppenheimer. She also served as Robert Bacher's secretary in the Physics Division and in the former Gadget Division. Harold Agnew, now age 90, was LANL director from 1970 to 1979.

Born in Trinidad, Colorado, Beverly Agnew graduated from South Denver High School and the University of Denver. After the war, Mrs. Agnew raised two children and was devoted to public service. She served on the New Mexico Board of Education and also was an accomplished artist, with her paintings and other works appearing in local galleries.

In 1979, the Agnews moved to Solana Beach, California, where she continued her artwork and involvement in community activities. She excelled at tennis and bridge, and was an active member of the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club.

She is survived by Harold Agnew, daughter Nancy Chapman and son John, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Laboratory retiree John C. Hopkins, who led Los Alamos's weapons program under former Director Donald Kerr, described Beverly Agnew as a friend, a colleague, and to many, a mentor. "She was very bright and almost always cheerful. For some years I knew her, but had no idea who Harold was. Eventually that oversight was corrected and my wife, Adele, and I became close friends with both Harold and Beverly," said Hopkins. "She was a charming hostess and was noted far and wide as a superb chef. All our lives have been enriched by her many contributions to our community."