Louis Norman Rib, 85, died Dec. 18, 2013.
Raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Mr. Rib was part of the Kingsmen club at the Young Men’s Hebrew Association during high school. He attended New York University earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in meteorology (sponsored by the U.S. Air Force), and completed advanced certification through General Electric in nuclear engineering. Mr. Rib served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict as an Arctic meteorologist in Limestone, Maine, then as a nuclear engineer in Schenectady, N.Y., for General Electric. He moved to work for the Atomic Energy Commission, which became the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the Washington, D.C. area as a nuclear reactor licenser. He made contributions to nuclear reactor safety, by recognizing the need for upgrades against tornado and earthquake forces. After retiring from the government, he was a consultant to the NRC and a Canadian reactor company. In Maryland, Mr. Rib participated in Toastmasters, was president of a B’nai B’rith chapter, and head of ushers at Congregation Beth El in Bethesda. He and his wife, Helen, moved to Tucson in 2005.
Mr. Rib was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Casey Gosnell. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Helen; children, Judith (Doron) Holzer of Memphis, Tenn., Evelyn (Tom) Gosnell of Tucson, David (Sharon) Rib of Apple Valley, Calif., and Heidi (Wayne) Brent of Tucson; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held in the Congregation Anshei Israel section of Evergreen Cemetery, with Rabbi Robert Eisen officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Anshei Israel, the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice.
