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Harold Denton Obituary
KNOXVILLE, TN - Harold Ray Denton of Knoxville, Tennessee died February 13, 2017, following a lengthy challenge with COPD and Alzheimer's. He was born February 24, 1936 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to Doc Samuel Denton and Sula Alga Lamm.
He is survived by wife Lucinda Oliver Denton, also a Rocky Mount native, daughter Elizabeth Baird of Holly Springs, NC; Harold Jr. and Susan Gramling Denton of Knoxville, TN; Spencer and Kathy Felton Denton of Winston-Salem, NC; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
After attending Battle School, Harold graduated in 1954, part of the first class of the "new" Rocky Mount Senior High School. In his early years, Harold rode his bicycle to deliver the Evening Telegram in the Franklin Street area. In high school and college, he worked as a Telegram Photo Engraver apprentice. He graduated from North Carolina State in 1958 in nuclear engineering, and began his career at the DuPont Savannah River Plant as a reactor physicist. He joined the Atomic Energy Commission and served over 30 years in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He was the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation for a decade. Harold served as President Carter's onsite representative following the Three Mile Island accident. He continued to be active in nuclear safety, following up after nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi reactors. He received honorary degrees from Gettysburg College, Lebanon Valley College and the University of Pennsylvania. He was honored with a Presidential Distinguished Executive Award from President Carter, and the James M. Landis Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The highlight culminating Harold's career was being inducted in the Twin County Hall of Fame in 2004. Although beginning his career in South Carolina, raising his family in Maryland, and then retiring in Tennessee, Harold always considered North Carolina "home." He was proud to have children and grandchildren there now.
A Celebration of Life will take place with family in North Carolina.
As children and adults, Harold and Lucinda spent many happy times in Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. In honor of his love of science, the family requests memorial donations to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Educators of Excellence Fund, PO Box 26928, Raleigh NC 27611.
As published in the Rocky Mount Telegram
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Memories and Condolences
for Harold Denton
James Sullivan
March 11, 2017
Very fine ma. Knew him at Shoreham NY Nuclear plant and also at Calloway Nuclear plant during licensing hearings at both units. He was a fair man and highly intelligent. Prayers for his family and may he rest in peace.
Steve Lamm
March 4, 2017
So sorry to hear about Harold's death. We were first cousins. Condolences to your family from ours.
Alice and Carl Merril
February 25, 2017
Lucinda. dear and Hal, Spencer and Liz----Carl and I were so sorry to read of Harold's passing in NYT. We have thought of you often and regret that we were not able to keep up with each other after you left Rockville and our Woodley Gardens community. That was so many parties and pets ago when we our kids, now middle-aged professionals and family men and woman, shared school and neighborhood activities. We remember with affection our good times with you both and the Penrys. Your joie de vivre and wonderful energy were quite exceptional. I wish there was a way to embrace you now and re-une with you under relaxed conditions. If you could plan a visit with us, we would be very happy. Please let us know how you are doing when time and your grief allow you to make connection.
Jerry Hulman
February 22, 2017
Lucinda,
I have wonderful memories of both you and Harold. Do you remember burning my t-shirt at a party in Potomac cause you said "it was not sexy". For Harold, I have only respect for him as a boss and friend who helped me correct a major life mistake. What a wonderful man. I shall always be grateful. May he rest in peace.
Carlos Velez
February 19, 2017
A great man and a great boss. Many terrific things can and will be said about him, but one of the qualities that impressed me most was his humility--never letting his position go to his head. A great loss to all who had the fortune of having known him.
February 17, 2017
I had the privilege to work with Harold at the NRC. He was a great American and a dedicated public servant. We will miss him.
Jim Lieberman
February 17, 2017
harold loved his dog oliver he was a member of the dog walkers at the cove a good friend to judge mcconnell and calvin gaskey we will miss you harold Calvin
Tom Hirons
February 17, 2017
I knew Harold from our connection with North Carolina State University. We were both on a panel to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Nuclear Engineering Department at NC State. His work as a spokesman for NRC during the Three Mile Island Accident will always be remembered.
Regina Libby
February 16, 2017
My sincerest condolences to Hal Denton on the loss of your father. He sounds like he was an incredible person.
Sue Leggett
February 16, 2017
Dear Lucinda, Stan and I send our deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Sincerely, The Leggetts
Bob and Milinda Compton
February 16, 2017
Dear Lucinda,
The one dinner we shared at Chesapeakes with you Harold and the Macek family will live in our memories forever. He certainly played a steady and important role in Americas History.
Bob and Milinda Compton
Carol Mayo Jenkins
February 16, 2017
My dear Lucinda....
I am so sorry to hear this news. Sending you much love and sympathy.
Dan Rapak
February 15, 2017
I was a young man working as an engineer at one of the local television stations in Harrisburg at the time of the accident at Three Mile Island.
Those of us involved in the coverage of the accident at TMI remember Mr. Denton as the "white knight" sent by President Carter to wade into the quagmire, determine the facts, distill everything down to layman's terms and get that information to government officials, to the press and to the public. His ability to converse with the people inside the plant in engineering terminology, then step outside the plant, stand in front of reporters and translate that information to plain English was as essential as it was remarkable.
His expertise coupled with his calm demeanor, his "every man" appearance and above all, his honesty calmed what had been an extremely confusing and chaotic period. He simultaneously dealt with the engineers and technicians inside the TMI control room, dealt with a frightened and confused press, liaised with government officials and at the same time supervised more than 100 people from the Nuclear Regulator Commission and the Department of Energy working in the vicinity of the plant.
No one will never know how many lives were saved by Harold Denton and the people in his charge.
Harold Denton was a good man. May he rest in peace.
Tony Coats
February 14, 2017
My deepest sympathy to your family. I am sorry for the loss of your dad.
Elizabeth Johnson
February 14, 2017
Condolences to his family. I remember his calm demeanor and reassuring presence during a very scary time was a blessing to many of us in central PA. Thank you Mr. Denton, you were the true example of public service!
Sandra Powell Emond
February 14, 2017
Some great memories of many good times shared with Harold and Lucinda. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. Loving thoughts and my condolences in the loss of a truly good person.
Sandra
Kay Sanders Smith
February 14, 2017
My prayers to the family. Remember Harold from school.
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