Alan Powell Bradford

ALAN P. BRADFORD STAUNTON - Alan Powell Bradford, 92, a physicist who retired in 1986 from the US Army Night Vision and Electro Optics Laboratory (NVEOL) in Ft. Belvoir, VA, died April 21, 2015 at Bridgewater Retirement Community in Bridgewater, VA from complications from Alzheimer's disease. He had a scientifically fruitful 45 year career, beginning with Infrared Sniperscopes and Metascopes during his WWII military service at the engineer Board, Ft. Belvoir, VA. During that time he also served in Guadalcanal introducing and training soldiers in the use of the Sniperscopes, a new method developed using infrared light for night time targeting. After the war he joined the Physics Research Laboratory, which later became part of the NVEOL. Mr. Bradford's early career concentrated on the optical studies of evaporated thin materials, both metals and rare-earth oxides and fluorides. He was, in part, responsible for the still used fast evaporation techniques for depositing high-reflection aluminum coatings required for optical purposes, multi-layered anti-reflectance. These techniques were of importance to solar energy and space technology for military and industrial purposes. He made contributions to early space research programs concentrating on the problem of temperature control of space satellites. He co-authored a paper on the techniques of relating heat load requirements of satellites to the ratio of solar acceptance for depositing uniform evaporated coatings on special satellites. These coatings produced a most precise and reliable method for controlling surface temperatures of early satellites. Beginning with the Vanguard Program in 1956, more than 100 satellites received these thermal control coatings at Ft. Belvoir, under Mr. Bradford's direction. One of these satellites was displayed at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. He made significant contributions on thin films processes with over 20 publications, 6 patents and consultant services with NASA and NRL. Born in Pomeroy, Ohio on September 3, 1922 to William Minton Bradford and Helen Powell Bradford, he graduated from Middleport High School and studied physics and mechanical engineering at Ohio State University; in his senior year he entered the Army Corps of Engineers. After WWII, he continued these studies at George Washington University in Washington DC. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elizabeth Bradford Lohse, and brothers, Laurence and Wallace. He is survived from his first marriage to Ruth Utz by his son, Doug Bradford and wife Janet of Mt. Dora, Florida; daughter, Helen Patricia Bradford of Alexandria; stepson, Norman Kenneth Bradford and wife Kathy of Alexandria; four step grandchildren Teri, Denise, Andrew, and Gregory; three step great grandchildren; one step great, great granddaughter; four nieces, Gail Brown, Lynne Brown, Jennifer Sheetz, and Neda Mitchell; and nephew, Bruce Bradford (Lt. Col. USA Ret.) in Ohio. Survivors include his wife of twenty-two years, Marguerite Duncan McFarland Bradford. Mrs. Bradford was a research chemist at NVEOL and she and her husband co-authored several publications. He is also survived by Mrs. Bradford's children, Richard McFarland (Lt. Col. USA Ret.) of Alexandria, Elizabeth McFarland and husband Mike Wigen of Bozeman, Montana, and Trisha McFarland and husband Martin Kepner of Chelmsford, Massachusetts; Kate, Josh, and Kelly McFarland, Martin, Duncan, and Jake Kepner. Shortly after retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford moved to the Shenandoah Valley where they designed and built a house in Staunton, Virginia. A man of many interests and a vast array of talents, he was an accomplished astronomer, building his own telescopes to monitor the night sky. He was a skilled photographer, developing his own photos; he played the trumpet, guitar and piano; he was a Civil War buff, visiting all the major sites. He had a lifelong interest in geology, spending many summers exploring in Montana, was an active spelunker in his earlier years and often went caving with his son, Doug. Both he and his wife were active gardeners and enjoyed attending country auctions. In his retirement, he also discovered bread-making from scratch, and building antique reproductions for his family. Mr. Bradford had a legendary sense of humor and was also remembered for his comment "and now for my next trick" and perhaps that is what he left with us, "and now for my next trick". Family expresses their sincere appreciation to Bridgewater Nursing Home and Staff for their extraordinary care and concern provided to Mr. Bradford. At his request, no formal services will be held. Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Central and Western Virginia Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011. Arrangements are entrusted to Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Center.