Robert Melvin Brugger

1929 - 2022

Robert Melvin Brugger

January 13, 1929 -

January 2, 2022

Robert "Bob" Melvin Brugger, age 92, of Ashland, Oregon, passed peacefully from this world on January 2, 2022. He was at his home at Mountain Meadows at the time of his passing.



He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Melvin Brugger and Allene Mildred McCully Brugger. Bob received a BA in Physics from Colorado College in 1951. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and received the Louis T. Benezet Award in 1989. He attended Rice University 1951-1955, and received his MA and PhD in Nuclear Physics. Bob and Barbara Lett Brugger married in 1953 and enjoyed many wonderful years together until Barbara's passing in 2016.

Bob's employment history included some odd jobs as a teen and while in school, including a newspaper route, pin setting at a bowling alley, stacking hay, plumbing and tile setting, trying unsuccessfully to sell life insurance policies, and working for his father in the Country Boy mine and the Neglected mine near Breckenridge and Durango, Colorado, respectively. His career as a nuclear physicist began with a summer job in 1951 as an electronics technician at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico, and a "Summer Scientist" at E.I. DuPont deNemours in the summer of 1953 in Waynesboro, Virginia. After receiving his PhD in 1955, he and Barbara moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he worked for the US Atomic Energy Commission at the National Reactor Testing Station (NRTS) until 1974. He began as a Research Physicist, moving up through the years to become Manager of the Nuclear Technology Division for Aerojet Nuclear. From 1962-1963, Bob, Barbara, and their two young children moved to England for Bob's Assignment with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Research Establishment on behalf of the US Atomic Energy Commission and Phillips Petroleum Company. In 1974, Bob accepted a position as the Director of the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia, Missouri, and in August of that year, Bob (with two antique cars), Barbara (with 42 boxes of books and dog Husky), daughter Carolyn (with the horse named Sarge and cat named Max), and son Jim, moved to Columbia to start the next phase of their lives. During this time, Bob also served as a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Missouri until 1991, working primarily with graduate students. From 1981-1982 Bob took a Sabbatical to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He took an appointment at the Medical Department of Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York, in 1990, and in August of 1991, he retired from the University of Missouri, becoming Professor Emeritus of the Nuclear Engineering Dept. He worked as Senior Scientist at Brookhaven from 1991-1993, where he was coordinator of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Program (BNTC), an emerging treatment for cancerous tumors. From 1993-1999, Bob worked as a private consultant, and as a part-time employee for the McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center Reactor in Sacramento, California. Throughout his life, he continued to be fascinated by various forms of energy, and followed the development and possibilities of Neutron Capture Therapy with great interest.

Memberships include: Fellow Emeritus of the American Physical Society, Fellow Emeritus of the American Nuclear Society (ANS award for Meritorious Performance in Reactor Operations 1990), Member, International Society for Neutron Capture Therapy, and Professional Engineer, Nuclear Engineering, California. He wrote countless papers and publications through the years, many having to do with his research into cancer treatments.

Although himself not the greatest natural athlete (something he would readily admit), Bob held a passion for track, football, basketball and baseball. Bob earned five letters in high school, and he loved playing sports. He also lettered at Colorado College. While in Idaho, he learned to ski and taught Carolyn and Jim to ski as well, mostly local hills, but with a couple of trips to Colorado. The skiing came to a halt upon moving to Missouri in 1974. He was a jogger all of his life, until his ankle began to complain, then he walked for exercise. Bob and Barb rode bicycles for fun and adventure.

One of Bob's favorite things to do was to explore. He loved to track down old cars and old mines, and this gave him a good excuse to see the countryside. Cars were a major interest, beginning at about age 16, with a 1920s Dodge sedan; in the 1960s, he bought and restored a 1924 Willis Overland sedan, which the family enjoyed driving in the local parades, and other nearby outings. Other cars included a Vauxhall purchased in England and brought back to the States in 1963, and a 4WD Jeep Wagoneer, which his family would accuse him of getting stuck on purpose so he could use the 4WD. Camping was a favorite family pastime, and there were many outings in the Rocky Mountains and to nearby Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. He supported his kids and grandkids in their interests through the years. Bob and Barbara were avid US and world-wide travelers, often accompanied on their adventures by friends and family. One favorite destination was Switzerland, where Bob's family had originated and where they returned several times through the years. Bob also traveled for work, often with Barb as a companion, to Japan, China and Russia, among other locations.

Bob was involved with Rotary in Ashland for many years, during which time they helped restore the fountain in Lithia Park, and supported the rebuilding of the ice rink, among other community projects. He also attended meetings in other locations while on his travels, including Switzerland, Israel, and Long Island, New York.

After moving to Ashland, Bob and Barbara truly enjoyed their community at Mountain Meadows, as well as their church community with First Presbyterian Church of Ashland. The Bruggers were among the first residents at Mountain Meadows, having built their house on Nepenthe; Bob served on the first board of directors and financial committee, and helped to design the parking lot at the clubhouse. When he was still able, he loved going on outings with the Hiking Club. For many years, the Bruggers maintained a planter box in the community garden and would share the wealth with friends and family. They considered themselves "Westerners," and loved being back in this part of the country.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Lett Brugger, his sister Jean Louise Brugger Sparks, and his son, James Robert Brugger. He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Irene Brugger Jost, son-in-law Michael Jost; grandchildren Jeremiah Brugger, Katelyn Blakemore-Hebert, and Andrew David Albright; and niece Joan Louise Renteria Hassett.

Bob was laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery, and a memorial celebration will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland on January 29, 2022 at 11:00 am, with reception following. In lieu of sending flowers, the family would love you to consider a donation to either The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, or the Parkinson's Foundation.