CHARLES MARTIN STEVENS

Charles Martin Stevens Charles Martin Stevens was born Feb. 23, 1920, in Lewistown, Mont., to Lyle Theon Stevens and Grace Christine (nee Stephenson), and grew up in Minneapolis, Minn. He attended the University of Minnesota, from 1938 to 1942, graduated with a B.A. in physics and was recruited by his mentor and friend Prof. Al Nier into the Manhattan Project. In 1950, he was hired by Argonne National Laboratory to do uranium and plutonium analysis and moved to Clarendon Hills, Ill., with his first wife, Kay. In 1953, he designed and built over five years what was the world's largest mass spectrometer and began his longest running research project: analyzing atmospheric concentrations and origins of greenhouse gases including carbon monoxide and methane. In 1956, he contributed to the creation of the new element Fermium (#100). In the 1960s and 1970s, Charlie moved to Naperville, reignited his childhood love of piano, and made many international friendships. He took up folk dancing, where he met his second wife, Dorothy Armstrong. They were married on Oct. 11, 1969, in Minneapolis. In the 1980s, he took up violin at age 66. He retired from Argonne Laboratory after 39 years. In retirement, he enjoyed Scandinavian fiddle and joined the Chicago Spelmanslag group. While he began taking photos as a teen when his father gave him a camera, he took up photography more earnestly in retirement, amassing a substantial collection of different cameras and photographs. His traveled extensively during his career and his retirement with his life- and travel- companion Dorothy, whenever possible visiting the many friends and colleagues he had met over his career. He was thrilled to spend time with his granddaughters. He always loved to tell a good story, enjoyed conversation with friends and strangers alike, and was an inveterate gentleman. He loved music, nature and art and instilled a love of these things in his children and grandchildren. He had a natural enthusiasm for comedy, history, and the wonders of science. Charles Martin Stevens died on Sept. 28, 2011, in Naperville, Ill., after a stroke and subsequent illness. One of his dearest wishes was to live at home until the end of his life which he did. He is survived by his brother, Dick Stevens; wife, Dorothy Stevens; son, Brett Stevens and daughter-in-law, Joelle Mader of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; daughter, Hanna Stevens and son-in-law, Gordon Buchanan of Guilford, Conn.; and granddaughters, Greta Mader Stevens, Wendy Buchanan and Emily Charlotte Buchanan, who was named in his honor. A memorial service will be held on Nov. 6, at 3 p.m. at the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church at 1828 Old Naperville Road, Naperville, Ill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to causes that Charlie was committed to over his life, the United Negro College Fund (www.uncf.org) and public broadcasting (the station of your choice).