George Franklin Bing
George Franklin Bing died Nov. 18. He was 93 years old.
Born Dec. 16, 1924 in Barberton, Ohio, he was an Eagle Scout, a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps (1943-46) and a nuclear physicist at the Laboratory (1954-1988). He is the son of Ross and Mildred Bing, a widower to Aurelia (Clepea) Bing at age 25, a loving and devoted husband to Virginia Mae Bing, his wife of 67 years and a loving father to Mark (deceased), James, David, Robert and Christopher Bing.
Bing joined the Army in January of 1943 and served in the Pacific in 1945. Eventually his unit was sent to Japan and then home in April of 1946. After returning from WWII he obtained a bachelor’s degree in physics from Oberlin College.
He started and completed a graduate program in physics at Case Institute of Technology, earning a doctorate in 1954. He took a job at the then-University of California Radiation Laboratory, and stayed at the Lab until his retirement in 1988.
On three occasions George took leaves of absence from the Lab. In 1961 he took a position at the Pentagon to the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) to direct the VELA program. In 1967 he went to Vietnam for four months to serve on the staff of Gen. Westmoreland. In July 1967 he took a position as the scientific adviser at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe). He returned to LLNL in 1970 where he completed his career.
Bing had a lifelong passion for birdwatching. In addition to other National Audubon Society bird counts, he led the annual Point Reyes Christmas bird count for the Dolcini ranch count area for 35 years, often joined by one or all of his sons and grandchildren. In retirement George grew his avian library, added species to his life list, and continued his philanthropic activities.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. At Bing’s request, there will be no formal service. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the National Audubon Society or a charity of your choice
