Ronald V. Miskell

Dr. Ronald V. Miskell passed away quietly in his home January 24, 2015. He joins his beloved wife Barbara of 56 years to be with Jesus. Ron was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois and later moved to East Tennessee in 1959 where he worked and raised his family. He worked for over 55 years at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Nuclear Engineer. He also served with the Department of Energy, the State Department and International Atomic Energy Agency. He also served with the United Nations and was honored for his participation in the United Nations Inspection Team during the First Gulf War to uncover Iraq’s secret nuclear capabilities. He and other members of the UN Team were held against their will for days in a parking lot in Baghdad when they refused to turn over documents to Iragi authorities. For this work, he received the Department of Energy’s Exceptional Public Service Award. Dr. Miskell has received numerous other awards for his pioneering leadership in engineering and programs related to nuclear weapon manufacturing, machine tool proliferation and export control. He was honored as a Corporate Fellow by the Department of Energy, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Energy Systems Company. Ron is survived by his three children, Michael, Terry and Cheryl; three grandchildren, Christian, Andrea and Ashley; great grandchild, Sawyer; his niece, Candace; brothers and sister-in-law, John, Donna, and Jack. Ron’s favorite hobby was model railroad trains with which he spent many hours building layouts and traveling to Train Collector shows with his dear friends Mike, Bill, and Rick. He also spent many fall weekends at UT football games with his friends and their families Vann, Wally and Bobby; not to mention wonderful lake outing trips with Fred and Sam. Ron loved many things whether his beloved Barbara, trains or his love of history. Ron showed his love through unspoken words and actions because sometimes it is a look in the eye that speaks louder than any collection of words. His Funeral Service will be Saturday, February 21, 11:00am at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 7200 Brickey Lane, Knoxville, TN, 37918. His burial will held at a later date at a service for relatives and friends in Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to the Tennessee Right to Life, PO Box 110765, Nashville, TN, 37222.