Myron Kratzer

February 21, 1925 - March 1, 2021

Myron passed away peacefully on March 1, 2021 in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was born February 21, 1925 in New York City, New York to Louis and Harriet (Lewin) Kratzer. He enrolled as a Chemical Engineer at the University of Oklahoma before enlisting in the U. S. Army at the age of 18. He continued his Chemical Engineering education at Ohio State University as part of the Amy Specialized Training Program prior to being selected to work on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico which he did from 1944 to 1946. Following World War II, Myron returned to Ohio State University, where he graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He married Rowena Susan Cole in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 18, 1948. Myron worked for Standard Oil of Indiana for three years prior to joining the Atomic Energy Commission, where he was employed from 1951 to 1971. As Director of International Affairs and Assistant General Manager for International Activities, he negotiated numerous Agreements for Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and participated in the negotiation of the safeguards provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. He joined the United States Department of State in 1971, serving as Science Attaché in Argentina and Japan, followed by appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International and Scientific Affairs from 1975 to 1977. After leaving government service in 1977, Myron continued as a consultant in nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards policy. Myron is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rowena “Ronnie” Kratzer of Bonita Springs, Florida, sons Carl (Patricia) Kratzerof Vienna, Virginia and Steve (Karen) Kratzer of Annapolis, Maryland, and granddaughter Meredith (Zachary) Sellers of Newark, California. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Leonard Alvin Kratzer. Myron enjoyed sailing with family and friends in the Chesapeake Bay and other locations and he was a member of the International Men’s Club of America. Donations in Myron’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.