Harris C. "Cap" Capwell

Harris Cebert Capwell, known by his friends and fellow LLNL employees as "Cap," died at home in Port Ludlow, Wash., June 27. He was 88.

Capwell retired from LLNL in 1984 after more than 25 years of service. He worked in the Environmental Evaluations Group of the Hazards Control Department. According to Marjorie Gonzalez, his former supervisor, Capwell was an avid naturalist well-suited for his career as an environmental technician.

Capwell was born June 23, 1920. He grew up in Oakland and was the grandson of the founder of the H. C. Capwell Department Store in Oakland.

He joined the Navy in 1940 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor, having been on board the U.S.S. Ramapo at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He also served in the South Pacific during the war on the U.S.S. Oakland.

After his retirement in 1984, Capwell moved from San Leandro to Port Ludlow, Wash., with his wife Lois, who preceded him in death in 2001, and their 31-foot sailboat Dreamer.

Capwell is survived by his four children: Sandy; David; Christi; and Diane; and four grandchildren. He is also survived by Lois' four children: Jeanne; Steve; Joanne; and Jan and their families.

Services will be Saturday, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA.