Weiser High School Alumni
Weiser, Idaho (ID)
Roger Batzel
Director (1971–88) of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Class of 1940
What is Roger Batzel known for?
Roger Elwood Batzel (December 1, 1921 - July 29, 2000) was a notable graduate from Weiser High School, in Weiser, Idaho. Born and raised in Idaho, Batzel was an influential figure in nuclear science. After graduating from Weiser High School in 1940, he enrolled at the University of Idaho where he later earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering in 1947.
During World War II, Batzel served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a navigation instructor. After the war, he completed his doctoral studies in nuclear chemistry in 1951 at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, a Nobel Prize winner.
Batzel's career truly took off when he joined the University of California Radiation Laboratory in 1953. He rose through the ranks in this organization, finally being appointed as the director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1971, a position he held for 16 years. His contributions during his tenure were significant, with the Laboratory widening its mission from primarily nuclear weapons to various areas of applied science under his leadership. Batzel's knowledge and influence led him to advise four U.S. Presidents.
Batzel was known for his dedication to his profession and left a legacy of excellence in support of national security. After his death in 2000, the Laboratory honored him by dedicating Building 132, the national security building, in his memory.
On a personal note, Batzel was married to Edwina Grindstaff Batzel for 54 years and together they had three children. He is buried at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette, California.
His life and works have left an enduring stand on nuclear science and technology and indeed a proud legacy for his alma mater, Weiser High School.
For more information on Roger Batzel's life and career, you can visit his page at the Wikipedia and further details about Weiser, Idaho can be found here.