Cold War Patriot Offers Glimpse Into Early Savannah River Site History

AIKEN, S.C. – Walt Joseph, one of the few original Savannah River Site (SRS) employees from the early 1950s, continues to preserve the site’s heritage years into his retirement.

During a recent presentation to the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Site Training Department and new SRNS hires, the 90-year-old former member of the military recalled the site’s contributions that helped bring an end to the Cold War. SRNS is the site’s management and operations contractor.

“Very few people recognize that SRS made major contributions to this nation and to the world,” he said.

After serving in the military, Joseph completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Penn State University before he and his wife, Paula, moved to Aiken from Pennsylvania in 1954 so Joseph could pursue a career at SRS. For 12 years, he worked at what is now EM’s Savannah River National Laboratory.

“We did some pioneering work on the effects of radiation on structural materials and had a lot of fun with it,” Joseph said.

For years, he kept his career secret from his family.

“My son thought I was a barber for years,” Joseph said. “At the time, we couldn’t tell our families what we were working on and the kids only saw me after leaving work from the barber shop.”

Later, Joseph moved to a new position in site operations.

“I decided that while I loved the science and technology happening in the lab, I liked people more,” he explained. Joseph worked in many positions, from running transportation to doing research in equipment engineering.

Despite his approaching retirement, Joseph wanted to continue supporting the site.

“SRS has made an enormous contribution to the community, the country, and the world,” he said. “I think it’s important that local people understand this — take pride in it — support it in all of its various aspects,” Joseph said.

In the early 2000s, Joseph and other SRS supporters realized the site was missing something found at other nuclear sites: a heritage museum. In 2003, plans for a heritage foundation began taking shape.

“I think the site continues to have the potential for progress into the foreseeable future, and to do it, support is needed from the community. I hope that the museum is able to help build that kind of support through education about the site’s important history and service to the nation,” he said.

Joseph invested many hours to bring the vision for the Savannah River Site Heritage Foundation to life. In 2005, it was chartered.

Years later, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce named Joseph “Man of the Year,” recognizing his service to the community.

At the close of his recent presentation, Joseph offered advice to the SRNS employees.

“Be aware of your heritage and take pride in what you are doing for our nation,” he said.

The foundation raises funding for the SRS Museum in Aiken. The museum is undergoing restorations and will reopen next month with a new exhibit, tentatively titled “6,000 Stories.”

The exhibit will share the stories of families and businesses displaced by construction of what was called the Savannah River Plant in the early 1950s.