John F. Wild

John F. Wild, a retired Lab nuclear chemist, died Feb. 21 at his home in Danville. He was 69.

Born Jun. 20, 1942 in Erie, Pa., he graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1964 and received his Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1968.

During his first year at MIT, he met his wife, Linda, in Boston, Mass. They married in August of 1966. In 1969, the couple moved to Livermore. They settled permanently in Danville in 1974.

At 27, Wild began his career as a nuclear chemist and continued working at the Lab until his retirement in 2005 at the age of 62.

He had many hobbies. He was an amateur astronomer and a talented bridge player. He played in adult volleyball leagues and was an avid golfer for nearly 50 years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling together.

A gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life is planned for this summer.

Donations in Wild's memory may be sent to the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, PO Box 1207, San Francisco, CA 94143-1207.