O’Dean Judd, 73, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at home.

Dean was born May 26, 1937, at his family’s home in Austin. While growing up in Austin he was very interested in science and particularly electronics, building amateur radio rigs from war surplus parts and an operational television station for the high school science fair.

He received his PhD in physics from UCLA, while working at Hughes Research Labs. At HRL he worked on microwave traveling wave tubes and was heavily involved in much of the early laser work at the laboratory. In 1972 he came to the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, in Los Alamos, N.M. He was involved with a wide variety of projects, including laser fusion, laser isotope separation, and directed energy efforts. In 1987 he became the chief scientist of SDIO, working at the pentagon, returning to the laboratory at the end of his tenure. After retiring from the laboratory he stayed active technically through consulting and participation on numerous study committees, including the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. He was also active in many community activities, including playing piano at the senior center and Sombrillo retirement home, and spent considerable time with his grandchildren and extended family, who loved and miss him greatly.

He is survived by his children, Lisa Judd, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Stephen (Laura) Judd, of Los Alamos, and Lesley Judd, of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Abigail, Noelle and Autumn, all of Los Alamos; sisters, Alvera “Judy” (Archie) Solyst, of Austin, and Sharon (Dick) Heikkila, of Prescott, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Cremation is planned, at DeVargas Funeral Home and Cemetary in Espanola, N.M., and he will be buried in Guaje Pines cemetery in Los Alamos.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m. in Los Alamos at First United Methodist Church, 715 Diamond Drive, 505-662-6277. All who knew, interacted, or were touched by Dean are welcome and encouraged to attend.