David Walker

David E. Walker, 91, Fargo, ND, formerly Chicago, IL area, a retired senior scientist from Argonne National Laboratory and a pioneering metallurgist in the study of uranium who worked on the "Manhattan Project" passed away Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 7, at 2 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, ND, with Rev Randy Spahr officiating. The visitation will be from noon until the time of the service at the chapel. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

David was born February 14, 1921 in Butler County, Pennsylvania to Francis and Orie (Boyer) Walker. In 1943 he married Ruth Scheidemantel in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, with a degree in Metallurgy. After graduation he worked for Wright Aeronautical in Cincinnati, Ohio until 1945. At that time he joined the army and began his career with the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago.

After his discharge of the US Army, he joined Argonne National Laboratory as a metallurgist in the development of uranium rods for the first nuclear reactor. Throughout his career he worked on projects developing nuclear fuel for the Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine and the first reactors for power. He has many patents in the nuclear field. He retired in 1992 as a Senior Scientist at Argonne.

Dave and Ruth resided first in Park Forest and then for 38 years in Naperville, IL. In 2000 they moved to Fargo to be near family. They raised two children, a daughter Jan Thiele (John) of Battle Lake, MN and a son David E. of Aurora, CO.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 68 years, his daughter and son as well as three grandchildren, Marc Thiele, Fargo; Greg Thiele, Minot, ND; and Jennifer (Chris) Nelson, Wahpeton; 5 great grandchildren, and three nephews of Butler, PA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Francis Hilliard also of Butler.