Dillon Heierman McDaniel

Dillon Heierman McDaniel will be remembered as a loving husband and father with a kind heart and an adventurous spirit. He was regarded by his colleagues as a rare gentleman scientist; always generous, interested, and gracious. He died unexpectedly at his home in Placitas, New Mexico, on May 1, 2012. Born to Dillon Heyworth McDaniel and Dorothy Heierman McDaniel in Austin, Texas in 1945, he grew up in Miami, Florida. He received his baccalaureate and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Texas (Austin) in 1967 and 1973 respectively. Dillon came to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) directly from graduate school and began work in the Pulsed Power group. Dillon's career at SNL spanned 38 years. Dillon made a direct impact on research and development of pulse power applications from the US Department of Energy's highest power accelerators to smaller, compact accelerators for radiographic applications and current drivers of isentropic equation-of-state experiments. He was an inspiration to young scientists and continually strived to build a strong international pulsed power community to develop new technology and applications toward high-yield fusion energy. At UT Austin he met Stephanie Hillaker, whom he married on June 4, 1966. Dillon moved his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico in fall 1973. He devoted his life to his wife, children, family, and friends. After losing Stephanie in 2007, he married Susan Mertes in 2010. His wife survives him, as do all his children, who share their sorrow with their spouses, Karen and Wade Vaught (Alexandria, VA), Gina and David Tarver (Austin, TX), Dillon and Laurie McDaniel (Savannah, GA), Melissa and Chris Dracup (Albuquerque, NM), Mary McDaniel Clum and Tristan Clum (Albuquerque, NM), Katie and Marti Sarber (San Antonio, TX), and Michael and Erin McDaniel (Albuquerque, NM). He leaves behind sixteen grandchildren, who were his joy, Hunter, Connor, Kayla, Quinn, Addi, Aleida, Max, Nora, Wesley, Liam, Corinne, Owen, Collin, Ian, Ellie and Harbour. Even the deepest grief felt by all those who were close to him cannot match the love that he gave during his 67 years of life. He lived life with all his heart. Though his time was short, his impact on family and friends will be felt forever. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4 and a celebration of his life at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5 at French – Wyoming Chapel followed by interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Donations in Dillon's name can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at www.ocrf.org.