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Joseph Wetch Obituary
Wetch
Joe Wetch, 80, passed away on June 22, 2009 after a brief battle with Cancer. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family at his daughter's home in Sparks, NV. He was born July 27, 1928 in Sebastopol, CA to Joseph Ronald Sr. and Anna Marie Wetch.
Joe was an all-star in sports in high school and had an excellent academic mind that carried him into Cal Berkeley, which made him the first from his town to attend a major university. He was an early innovator and major contributor to nuclear power, with the first space nuclear reactor, early research submarine reactor, fast breeder technology, advanced large space power and propulsion systems. His innovations spanned desalination and futuristic urban and electric transportation systems based on breeder reactors. He helped bridge the Cold War era by having technology research companies in San Jose and Moscow which helped warm relations and provided numerous collaborations earning him the Russian Yuri Gagarin medal, never before honored to an American.
In his retirement, he worked tirelessly to solve the nation's energy problem. He developed a plan for Secure Underground Nuclear Regional Energy Parks that were deep underground in bedrock, impervious to attacks. He knew we could make the world a better, safer, cleaner place and provide lasting energy through using existing spent uranium "fuel" and reprocess it for a non polluting solution to the energy crisis.
Joe was a loving father, a great friend, teacher and humanitarian. He leaves a legacy of achievement and concepts for a better future. Through example and inspiration, he tried to lead those around him to always leave the world better than you found it.
He is survived by son, Stephen and wife, Angela and their two children, Bennett and Stephanie; daughter, Catherine and husband, Vidy, and their three children, Justin, Daron and Noah; son, Stanley, and his two children, Lucas and Anaka; daughter, Heather and two children, Natalie and Olivia; daughter, Joanna and husband, Michael, and their daughter, Jacey and daughter, Olga. He also had his nieces and nephews whom he adored. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert.
He is remembered by family and friends around the world for his humor, his smile, his lack of driving skills, his immense enthusiasm, strong opinions and fanatical devotion to his life-work. If you were lucky to really know him, then you know he's certainly someone you can never forget. And for that, we are all thankful.
Memorial Services to honor him are being held July 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. at Living Waters Christian Fellowship, 155 E. Glendale Sparks, NV (West of E. McCarran). Pastor Ric Fehr of Living Waters will officiate. There will be a reception following immediately at his daughter's home at 1525 Istrice Rd. Sparks, NV 89436. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society in Joe's name.
Dad, Joe, thank you for all you taught us and inspired in us. We are all better, stronger and feistier for having had you in our lives. You will always be in our hearts. Rest in Peace.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Wetch
Sponsored by Joanna Wetch-O'Bear.
Edward Weisner
June 29, 2019
Joe was a good friend and a nice man with lots of enthusiasm.
Stan Wetch
June 22, 2011
Dad- Second anniversary of the your passage. - Always and forever - Love - Stan June 22 2011
Edward Weisner
October 20, 2010
Joe was areally great guy. He and I worked together for several years at Atomics International in Downey and Canoga Park, CA. I was shoked to learn belatedly of his passing. My condolences to his family and may he now restin peace,
Nikolay N. Ponomarev-Stepnoi
July 29, 2009
23 June, 2009
Dear friends,
A one-of-a-kind guy - Joe Wetch - passed from among us. He was one of the leading experts who developed in the US a thermoelectric space nuclear power system SNAP 10A. I first met him twenty years ago at the Space Nuclear Systems Conference in Albuquerque, NM. He, with his energy, vehemence, restlessness realized at that time that Russians are ahead, and it is possible and necessary to work together. He took over the hardest task - cooperation with Russia in space nuclear systems and electric thrusters. He was always in motion, in ideas and actions. Even in retirement he continuously generated ideas concerning development of nuclear power, he persuaded all that a large-scale nuclear power should be established as soon as possible. He understood the need for fuel breeding and closed fuel cycle, and proposed different options of closing the fuel cycle to Americans. Let us remember him and say good words about him. We are together.
NikNik
(Nikolay N. Ponomarev-Stepnoi, academician, Russia)
Kevin McCracken
July 16, 2009
I was sad to hear about Joe. He was the best boss I ever had. While working at Space Power I was constantly challenged to solve the day’s problem. Joe cracked me up with his candor about anything. Joe would almost always speak his mind about everything. In many ways my experience at Space Power put me where i am today. Thank You Joe! See you again someday. Talk like you got a billion.
herb rhee
July 15, 2009
I was glad to share memories of Joe with SPIans and Joe's family and friends last Saturday at Joe's memorial service. Even though I still miss Joe much, it was obvious that Joe lived his life FULLY, judging from what we heard from the attendees there. Joe was my 1st and best boss ever. I learned a lot from him. Thank you Joe for the fond memories. Rest well in eternity.
Silvia Gonzalez
July 13, 2009
Joe I Love you and really Miss you
Richard Brehm
July 13, 2009
7/13/09
I was so sorry to hear about Joe. My relationship goes back 50+ years, when he hired me into Atomics International out of the Univ of Michigan, back in February of 1958. He was my first "real" boss! What a piece of luck for me! I subsequently became one of his supervisors whose job (together with a couple of other guys in my group) was to try to figure out what was wrong with his "idea-of-the-day" (he came in almost every day with a new one). I can't remember having more fun and challenges than during that period. He was a true inspiration plus a great guy--what a dynamite combination for a youngster fresh out of college to experience!
Arden Scott
July 12, 2009
Few knew that Joe was an avid tennis player as well as a great scientist.
I met Joe on the court and we became friends quickly. Our political views differed which led to many great conversations and he was always willing to see more than one view of things.
We worked on promoting nuclear energy together and to the end he as tireless about contributing to its advancement. I will miss him.
See-Pok Wong
July 11, 2009
Joe was unique in so many ways, his voice, his laugh... It was a blessing to me to have the opportunity to know him and to work for him. Please accept my deepest condolences. May God bless you and your family in this most difficult time in life.
Reay Dick
July 11, 2009
Working with Joe was an experience that anyone will remember- And talking to him was also.... A conversation with Joe was like taking a drink from a fire hose... you were not the same afterwards.
My condolences to his family.
Rachel Medeiros
July 9, 2009
My sincere sympathy to all of Joe’s family at this time of sorrow. I felt like Joe was kind of a Dad to me. He always gave me good advice and well sometimes he would just laugh at my problem at hand…just like a Dad would. Joe taught me the meaning of hard work. I remember spending some nights at SPI to get those proposals out. Once, after foot surgery, he even rented a wheel-chair for me to get me back to work. He was one of a kind…a real down to earth guy and the best boss I ever worked for. He trusted in me from coordinating International Conferences to balancing his personal checking account. I could talk to him about anything. My daughter Melanie said the first time she met him she was outside waiting for me. He came outside and sat down next to her to talk. She was surprised that he was so easy to talk to and she had made a friend. He always told the greatest stories from his life...and what a life he had! He was a great man and I will truly miss him.
Raymond LIN
July 9, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Diane Gorder
July 9, 2009
July 8, 2009
My Uncle Joe was truly one-of-a-kind. I had the great pleasure of knowing him by working at SPI in the summers and by living with his family back in the 1980s. His love of family and overall passion for life (and his genious) are the things I remember most. Those passions truly set him apart from others.
He pretty much summed it up just after his diagnosis last month in a conversation with my Mom -- "what a ride!" He certainly set an example for living each day to the fullest. I will miss him and always remember him as a truly kind and generous man.
Sharon Evans
July 5, 2009
My deepest condolences to your entire family. I was luck enough to work for him at Space Power, he was someone who's personality was bigger than life. It makes me laugh thinking of his office and remembering his organized mess. Several times Rachel and I would try to organize it for him and it always returned to the same state of chaos, however he always knew where everything was. I enjoyed working for him but enjoyed more his stories and his genius. I will remember his fondly.
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