Roll Call Tribute

Published in Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel on June 28, 2017

Dr. Robert C. Ricks
Dr. Robert C. Ricks

Oak Ridge, TN

Dr. Robert C. (Bob) Ricks of Oak Ridge, age 76, died on June 22, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Bill and Margaret Ricks, sister Jackie (Bob) Pontif, and daughter, Janet Lynn McConnell. Survivors are sons, Robert Edward (Peggy) Ricks, Chattanooga, Michael James (Kim) Ricks, Oak Ridge; grandchildren, Meagan (Isaac Bunten) Ricks, Oak Ridge, Jackson "Jack" McConnell, Chattanooga, and great-granddaughter, Miya Ricks, Oak Ridge. Dr. Ricks was born in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended graduate school at Texas A&M University where he received both a Masters and Doctorate Degree. He moved to Oak Ridge in 1969 and worked in the Medical Division of Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). In 1975 he participated in the establishment of the Radiation Emergency Center/Training Site (REAC/TS.) He was appointed Director of REAC/TS in 1981 and served as Director until retirement in 2004. In 1985 he was appointed United States Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance (REMPAN). He was responsible for Development and coordination of numerous training courses on medical management of radiation accidents. He also led the REAC/TS team on assistance on missions to 46 different countries. In addition, he provided considerable assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in Vienna, Austria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity. In a private service, his remains will be placed in a columbarium located at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, TN. The Ricks family expresses its sincere gratitude to Visiting Angels, Methodist Medical Center, and NHC - Oak Ridge for their support of and care for Dr. Ricks. The family greatly appreciates all of Dr. Ricks' neighbors for their support; especially Tracy and Karen Larabee and Peggy Carr for always being there in a time of need and providing meals at special times. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.


Funeral Home
Weatherford Mortuary
158 S Jefferson Cir Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 482-2464
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Weatherford Mortuary obituary
158 South Jefferson Circle
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: (865) 482-2464

Dr. Robert "Bob" C. Ricks
July 18, 1940 - June 22, 2017

Dr. Robert C. (Bob) Ricks of Oak Ridge, age 76, died on June 22, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Bill and Margaret Ricks, sister Jackie (Bob) Pontif, and daughter, Janet Lynn McConnell. Survivors are sons, Robert Edward (Peggy) Ricks, Chattanooga, Michael James (Kim) Ricks, Oak Ridge; grandchildren, Meagan (Isaac Bunten) Ricks, Oak Ridge, Jackson "Jack" McConnell, Chattanooga, and great-granddaughter, Miya Ricks, Oak Ridge. Dr. Ricks was born in Port Arthur, Texas. He attended graduate school at Texas A&M University where he received both a Masters and Doctorate Degree. He moved to Oak Ridge in 1969 and worked in the Medical Division of Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). In 1975 he participated in the establishment of the Radiation Emergency Center/Training Site (REAC/TS.) He was appointed Director of REAC/TS in 1981 and served as Director until retirement in 2004. In 1985 he was appointed United States Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance (REMPAN). He was responsible for Development and coordination of numerous training courses on medical management of radiation accidents. He also led the REAC/TS team on assistance on missions to 46 different countries. In addition, he provided considerable assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in Vienna, Austria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity. In a private service, his remains will be placed in a columbarium located at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge, TN. The Ricks family expresses its sincere gratitude to Visiting Angels, Methodist Medical Center, and NHC – Oak Ridge for their support of and care for Dr. Ricks. The family greatly appreciates all of Dr. Ricks' neighbors for their support; especially Tracy and Karen Larabee and Peggy Carr for always being there in a time of need and providing meals at special times. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.