Joseph Frank Nachman

He attended Spring Elementary and Woodward schools and graduated from Woodward High School in 1936. In 1936, he entered the University of Toledo where he minored in Mathematics and majored in Chemistry. While at the University of Toledo, he was a student assistant in Chemistry, earning his Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1940. At the university, he served as V.P. of the Beta Rho chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. After graduation, he was fortunate to find employment (during the Great Depression) as a chemist at the Interlake Iron Corp. in Toledo, Ohio.

As World War II approached, he was appointed as Powder Chemist at the Indiana Ordnance Works of the U.S. Army.

Just before enlisting in the Navy, he was employed as a metallurgic chemist for the Electric Auto Lite Co. in Toledo, Ohio. He was called up for active duty in January of 1943 and was sent to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating as Ensign, USNR on May 4, 1943. After the graduation ceremony, he and Rosemary

Anderson of Toledo, Ohio were married in the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel.

After attending the Naval Academy and General Ordnance School at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to duty at the Ordnance Investigation Laboratory (O.I.L.) and Indian Head (Stump Neck), Maryland, where he was engaged in R&D on the use of Cavity (shaped) Charges for disposal of explosive ordnance. As a result of this research, he developed the “Linear Cavity Charge Calculator”, for use by the mine and bomb disposal personnel in the field. For this work, he received a Special Letter and Medal of Commendation from the Chief of the Navy Bureau of Ordnance.

After the war, he returned to school under the G.I. bill and graduated from Ohio State University with a Master’s of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work for the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland. During this period, he was engaged in the development of magnetic and high temperature alloys.

In 1953, he received the Naval Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the Bureau of Ordnance for his work at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory. He was also awarded the Superior Accomplishment Award in 1957.

He remained active in the Naval Reserve until 1959, retiring with the permanent rank of Lieutenant Commander, USNR. He was a member of the American Legion and the Navy and Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association. He was appointed Manager of Alloy Development at the University of Denver Research Institute in 1956 where he directed R&D in the area of alloy development, which included the rare earth alloys and metal hydrides.

In 1963, he joined Atomics International in Canoga Park, California. At Atomics International, he served as Senior Technical Specialist and Group Leader for development of nuclear fuel element and rocket materials.

In 1966, he went to work for Solar Turbines in San Diego as Chief of Applied Sciences where he was responsible for development of specialty alloys for high temperatures; high sound damping applications; as well as metal hydrides and rare earths. He remained at Solar until his retirement in April 1981 and served as a Metallurgical Consultant for several years after his retirement.

He is author of numerous technical papers and reports and holds eleven patents pertaining to alloy development. His affiliations included life membership in the American Society of Metals; American Association for the Advancement of Science; National Association of Corrosion Engineers; Sigma Xi; Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association, the American Legion; and the Navy League. He was registered as a Professional Engineer in the states of California, Colorado and Maryland. His biographical listings include: Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, American Men of Science; Who’s Who in Technology; Who’s Who in Science and Engineering; Who’s Who in the West; Industry’s Directory of Technical Consultants and Who’s Who in California.

He and his wife, Rosemary, were married for 73 years and have two sons – Richard Joseph and Ronald James Nachman and two grandsons – Russell James and Kirk Leslie Nachman.

He enjoyed travel and traveled extensively throughout the world with his wife, Rosemary visiting 45 countries and all seven continents, including Antarctica.

The family suggest sending memorials to the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-2608.