Andy Mravca Funeral Arrangements

A Message from Fermilab Director, Michael Witherell:

I am writing to tell you of the death of Andy Mravca, retired former manager of the DOE Fermi Group. Andy, 69, died Tuesday night after a long illness. Andy had a special place in Fermilab's history and Fermilab's heart.

Andy began his distinguished 42-year career with the Atomic Energy Commission, DOE's predecessor agency. At the AEC, he served as Chief of Engineering while Fermilab (then the National Accelerator Laboratory) was being built. He worked closely with the lab's founding director, Robert R. Wilson, to establish the architecture and infrastructure that continue to shape the laboratory.

Andy was reassigned in 1973 to DOE's Clinch River Reactor project in Tennessee, but returned to Illinois to head the Reactor Engineering Division in DOE's Chicago Operations Office. In July of 1979 he returned to Batavia to serve as DOE Fermilab Area Manager, a position he held until his retirement in January of 1999.

Throughout his career, Andy remained dedicated to the mission of Fermilab as a leader in basic science research, and never lost sight of its goals and purpose. To honor his dedication and many contributions to Fermilab, a proclamation was issued naming the lab's newest cooling pond "Andy's Pond." The proclamation was presented to Andy's wife at the DOE Area Managers National Conference held here on Oct. 29. Although Andy was unable to attend, he was able to visit Fermilab Tuesday afternoon with his wife and daughter to see Andy's Pond.

A plaque commemorating Andy's contributions will be placed by the shore of Andy's Pond. The date of the dedication ceremony has not been set.

The entire Fermilab community extends condolences to Andy's wife, Joanie; daughters Andrea and Susan; son Jim; and five grandchildren.