Christopher Gatrousis
Former LLNL associate director and retired scientist Christopher Gatrousis died Feb. 6 after a long battle with cancer. He was 83.
A longtime resident of Livermore, Gatrousis was the youngest of five children born to Greek immigrants George and Irene Gatrousis, in 1928 in Norwich, Conn.
He graduated from Norwich Free Academy and attended the University of Vermont for two years. At the outbreak of the Korean War he was called to active military duty and he served stateside as a Marine Corps drill Instructor at Parris Island, S.C.
After four years of military service, Gatrousis returned to college and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from DePaul University, a master's degree from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry from Clark University in Worcester, Mass., in 1965.
After completing his graduate studies, Gatrousis accepted a position at what was then the University of California Radiation Laboratory (LLNL). His early research focused on low-level radioactive fallout in marine environments. His career at LLNL expanded over the years to encompass leadership roles in larger Laboratory research programs.
Gatrousis served as associate director for Chemistry and Materials Sciences from 1985 until his retirement in 1993.
Soon after arriving in Livermore Gatrousis became involved in civic activities. He served on the city's beautification committee and worked with other groups on local and regional planning issues.
He actively campaigned for his friend and scientific colleague Don Miller when Miller ran for Livermore city council and mayor, and he supported other candidates for city and regional offices who shared his vision for growth in the city and the Livermore Valley.
Gatrousis is survived by his wife, Veronica; stepson Nicholas Lanier and his wife, Monique Morin and daughters, Carina and Rebecca of New Mexico; stepdaughter, Catherine Lanier Hazlip and her husband, Matthew and daughters, Jenna and Lindsey of Missouri; sisters, Despina Condos of Massachusetts, and Victoria Wilk of Connecticut; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Gatrousis; and sisters, Mary Luty and Steffa Christopher.
A memorial service will be held at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Stockton today (Feb. 13) at 7:30 p.m., followed by coffee and light refreshments in the parish hall. His funeral will be held at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m., with burial on Tuesday afternoon in St. Michaels Cemetery in Livermore. Gatrousis was an active and long-time supporter of many charitable organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Valley Care Foundation in Livermore or the Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton.
