We are very sad to report that our very good friend and professional colleague Johnny Gruber died on Saturday evening, January 2, 2010, after a heart attack. Johnny was President of Access Museum Services of Brentwood, TN, and worked closely with the Atomic Heritage Foundation, Partnership for K-25 Preservation, and many members of the Oak Ridge community to preserve and interpret its Manhattan Project and Cold War history.
Johnny worked closely with Kem Hinton of Tuck Hinton Architects of Nashville. Together they came up with a vision for preserving the North End of the K-25 plant and the original portal or security entrance. Johnny was convinced that visitors would be excited to experience what was once one of the world's "biggest secrets." Here is a rendering of what Access Museum Services imagined for preserving a portion of the K-25 plant of the Clinton Engineer Works.
Johnny was a very talented museum exhibition designer with some 96 exhibitions to his credit. Aside from his professional acumen, Johnny was a delightful colleague, always ready to see the humor in a situation and enjoy a good laugh. We valued his advice and unflagging efforts to provide assistance in whatever way he could.
We have lost one very good friend who cared passionately about preserving the history of Oak Ridge and its monumental K-25 plant. We will always be grateful to Johnny for his many talents, commitment and compassion.
