BANGOR – Dr. Ralph “Bob” Nash, 91, husband of the late Dortha (Wagoner) Nash, died July 21, 2007, in Bangor. He was born May 17, 1916, in South Bend, Ind., the son of Ralph and Mildred Nash. He was a graduate of Purdue University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Bob attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received his doctorate in metallurgy. Bob worked for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Germantown, Md.; the Office of Naval Reserve, London; served as a professor at the University of Virginia; and finally was employed with NASA, where he worked as a scientist supporting basic research. Dr. Nash was the founder of the Adventures in Science Club, which President Reagan acknowledged for his dedicated service to inspiring and teaching children science. He was a former member and president of the Gaithersburg, Md., Lions Club. Surviving are his daughter, Andrea K. Groft and her husband, Wayne F. Groft; a son, Jonathan J. Nash; two grandsons, Christopher C. Groft and his wife, Michelle, and Sean C. Groft and his wife, Karen; a brother, George Nash; a sister-in-law, Mary Nash; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Fred; and sister, Frances Ruppert. The family expresses their thanks to the people who supported Bob’s stay at the Country Villa. Many contributed to his life, we are especially grateful to Dr. Susan Cheff, who truly is a physician, Melony and Glenn Lyons, Maureen Guerin, Joe and Paula Goudreau, Terri, Nettie, Meag-han, Jen, Shannon, Stephanie and Rita. You all truly walked the walk and we are most thankful. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where relatives and friends are invited to call 1 p.m. Saturday until time of service. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the service at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon, Ind. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Bangor Christian Schools, Steve Cheff, Science Department, 1476 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401 or Adventures in Science, 8 George St., Gaithesburg, MD 20877.
DR. RALPH ‘BOB’ NASH
