Reprinted with permission from the Albuquerque Journal
Friday, May 9, 2003
Sandia Scientist Harlan Lenander's System Protected WWII Ships
Journal Staff Report
Harlan Edward Lenander Sr., a Sandia National Laboratories scientist who helped develop a system protecting ships from magnetic mines in World War II, died Saturday.
Lenander was 85.
"He was a wonderful man," said his wife, Helen. "We were just four days shy of our 60th anniversary" when he died.
While at Sandia, Lenander worked in atomic testing and retired in 1978 as director of weapons applications.
He received an honorary Ph.D. from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., where he had earned his bachelor's degree and was inducted into the school's Science Hall of Fame.
Lenander was also known for his volunteer work.
"He had always contributed to the community and was rewarded with many honors," said Helen Lenander. "That wasn't what he was doing it for. He was doing it because he wanted to."
He was a Boy Scout troop leader and in the 1950s led the only Boy Scout band in New Mexico, according to his family. He volunteered for the Elks Club's cerebral palsy program, as a laboratory volunteer at the University of New Mexico Hospital, as a participant in the Sandia Labs' science adviser program and for activities with Optimist International and his church, Holy Cross Lutheran.
Lenander was honored with a volunteer service award from Gov. Garrey Carruthers and a Jefferson Award for his contributions to the community. He also received the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver award for distinguished service for local youth, and the Lamb award from the Lutheran Church for fostering the spiritual growth of youth.
Lenander had "a very natural talent for music," his wife said — he sang tenor in choirs "wherever he was," and played piano, organ, the trumpet and won a national honor for performing on the fluegelhorn.
Her husband liked woodworking, and as part of his volunteer work made standing tables for disabled children, Helen Lenander said.
Survivors also include his son, Harlan E. Lenander Jr. and his wife, Marie, of Albuquerque; his daughter, Margaret Ann Greenhaw and her husband, Charles, of Harrison, Ark.; three granddaughters; and his sister, Mrs. Donald Cary of Alma, Neb.
Services will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6901 Wyoming NE. An ice cream social will be at 3:30 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or the National Kidney Foundation of New Mexico, Box 14238, Albuquerque, N.M. 87191.
Copyright 2003 Albuquerque Journal