Robert L. Shannon, Jr. Endowed Physics Scholarship at Tennessee Tech University
Proudly honoring my late father.
Robert L. Shannon, Jr. was born in Danville, KY in 1922 and grew up in Rockwood, TN. He attended Tennessee Tech and graduated with a degree in Physics in 1946. During his college career, he volunteered for military duty in the Navy and served as a Naval Officer in World War II and again in the Korean War. He served his tour of duty in the South Pacific and faced hand to hand combat. He eventually rose to rank of Lt. Commander and was the American Liaison officer for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Naval Department during 1951 and 1952. He later served as the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Base in Knoxville, TN.
He started his career with the AEC (now known as the Department of Energy) in 1946 and served until his death in 1978. He was one of 170 employees throughout the United States to have served his country during the entire history of the Commission. He was named as Chief of the AEC’s Technical Information Center in Oak Ridge, TN in 1957. He headed an organization of 250 persons and was known throughout the world as an energy information expert. He was instrumental in the production of a 70 volume series on the Manhattan Project days and compiled literature on the U.S. Weapons Testing Program. He was awarded the AEC’s Sustained Superior Performance award in 1969 which was the highest honor given in the Commission.
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He was awarded Tennessee Technological University’s Distinguished Alumni award posthumously in 1979.
He loved music and played clarinet and saxophone in the Tech Troubadours and started the “Music Crafters” in Oak Ridge which played big band music for 20 years. He supported Tech football for his entire life and made lifelong friends with President Derryberry and other Tech icons. He loved gardening and tinkering. He attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and was an active member of the Rotary Club. Most importantly, he was a devoted family man who put his wife, children, and parents above all other duties. He always made the time for family and friends. He died unexpectedly in 1978. His funeral was attended by several hundred people and letters of condolence were sent from around the world. Included were touching memories from Governors, Heads of major corporations and dignitaries of DOE, NASA, and other federal organizations.
This scholarship fund was started in 1981 at a dance that was hosted by the Music Crafters and other friends and family in the Oak Ridge community. It is the family’s wish that it be given to a worthy recipient in the Physics Department.