Randy Kent Nanstad, PhD

Today we remember our loving father and husband Randy Kent Nanstad, PhD, 79, of Knoxville, Tennessee, who passed away on December 19th, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by love from family and friends who will honor his legacy by continuing to live life to the fullest. Randy was born on June 10, 1942, to Donald and Dorothy Nanstad in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He graduated from Richland Center High School in 1960 and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1964, then went on to serve his country as an officer in Vietnam where he sustained injuries as a result of a helicopter crash. He retired from the US Army in 1968 with the rank of Captain and went on to obtain his MS degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1971 and his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering in 1974, both from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Upon graduation, Randy joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in 1974, where he devoted his career to materials science and engineering research, with a focus on engineering fracture mechanics and the effects of radiation on structural materials. Randy made significant contributions internationally to advance our understanding of the effects of neutron irradiation on materials used in the construction of nuclear reactor pressure vessels. Randy was a fellow of ASM International, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee, the American Society of Testing and Materials, the American Nuclear Society, the Metallurgical Society, the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, and was an officer of the International Group on Radiation Damage Mechanisms in Pressure Vessel Steels. He served as a consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), participated in several IAEA Cooperative Research Projects, and served as the chairman of the IAEA Cooperative Research Project on Nickel Effects in Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels. Randy was an author and co-author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, primarily dealing with understanding the fracture behavior and the effects of radiation on structural materials. In 2013, Randy received the ORNL Distinguished Engineer Award. Randy retired from ORNL in 2017, after 43 years of service, but continued to contribute his scientific knowledge and insight through his consulting firm, R&S Consulting.

Outside of work Randy was an avid handball player, enjoyed riding his Indian Chief motorcycle, singing, and spending time with his beloved wife Sonya and family. Randy was well known within his circle of friends and colleagues for his great sense of humor, friendship, and devotion to his family.

In 1958, Randy met Sonya Goad while they both attended Richland Center High School. Randy and Sonya were married in 1964, and had three children, David Scott Nanstad, Lisa Dawn Nanstad and Rachel Diane Nanstad.

Randy was predeceased by his father, Donald Nanstad, his mother Dorothy Nanstad, his younger sister Jean Nanstad Rodriguez, and many beloved aunts and uncles. Randy is survived by his loving wife Sonya Nanstad, and their three children, David Nanstad, Lisa Nanstad, and Rachel Nanstad; two grandchildren, Christopher Henryk Nanstad and Benjamin David Nanstad; his sister Suzanne Hanzel and his brother David Craig Nanstad.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 9076 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923 on Thursday, December 30, at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization Randy felt strongly about (Donor Care Center, PO Box 758541, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8541).