Jonathan George Watkins

Physicist, musician and loving person Jonathan George Watkins died shortly after midnight Dec. 9 of a heart attack. The 69-year-old scientist was still working full-time for Sandia National Labs in a life-long quest to overcome the challenge of developing fusion energy, a clean and safe form of nuclear energy.

He was a bit of a renaissance man with a love for science, music, food, fun and friends. The Austin, Texas native was also an avid animal lover who adopted more than one feral cat and had the scars to prove it. In his younger days, Dr. Watkins enjoyed white-water kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and other outdoor adventures.

He is survived by life partner Marcia Morales of Encinitas, CA, brother and sister-in-law Jeffrey and Mary Watkins of Louisville, KY., niece Elizabeth, nephew Gregory, and many cousins and friends. A memorial service is likely to be scheduled in January, and details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any animal rescue group except for the SPCA.

Though Dr. Watkins was not a member of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory team that made the historic announcement only a few days after his death of the achievement of fusion ignition, in 1990 he was instrumental in helping to develop a fast-reciprocating Langmuir probe that would be used by fusion researchers around the world.

“The value of his work to the fusion energy research community is manifest in the vast number of journal publications (over 200) that he has co-authored over the years, in addition to the tremendous respect that he commanded among his colleagues for his technical opinions and recommendations,” said Sandia Center Director Sarah Allendorf in a memorial announcement to Sandia employees.

Like many scientists of his generation, his interest in science was sparked by the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik and the ensuing space race. He once considered a future with NASA, and was recruited by a family member there, but opted for the study of safe, clean energy.

After getting a Bachelor of Science at the University of Texas, he skipped the master’s degree and went directly into the doctoral program and received his Ph.D. from UT in the mid-1970s. After graduation he began a lifetime career associated with Sandia National Laboratories with years spent in Albuquerque, N.M. and in San Diego, CA.

Before his university years, he balanced his focus on science with a love for music. He was in two Austin rock bands: The Southsiders, a collection of high school friends who played a few gigs (some for money) and participated in Austin’s prestigious annual Battle of the Bands; and a rock group called The Chartreuse Afterglow.

He was an accomplished guitarist who covered Jimi Hendrix songs but could play drums and bass as well. He was also an award-winning percussionist with the Crocket High School marching band and the University of Texas marching band.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gloria and George Watkins of Austin, Texas.