In Memoriam: Debra Ann McCroskey, CHP

1958-2017

by Leigh Sweeny and Pam Heckman, EnergySolutions Wade Adams, Past President, East Tennessee Chapter of the Health Physics Society

Debra Ann McCroskey, CHP, age 58, passed away on 13 February 2017 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. Debra was born on 5 April 1958 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Dave and Ann Tingley. She grew up in Merritt Island, Florida, with her parents and sister, Diane, at Tingley's Fish Camp. She loved the warm weather; the adventures of living and working at the Fish Camp's marina, restaurant, and store; and growing up on the exciting Space Coast. Debra never fully became acclimatized to life in her later home of Tennessee—as soon as the temperature dipped below 50 degrees, her winter coat appeared!

Debra had a lifelong interest in science and a passion for education. After graduating from Merritt Island High School in 1976, she attended the University of Florida, receiving a bachelor of science in microbiology in 1980. She continued her education with an associate of science in radiation protection technology from Central Florida Community College in 1983.

She began her long career in health physics traveling throughout the country, working in various nuclear power plants as a health physics technician from 1983 through 1988. Debra then determined to further her education, earning a master of science in environmental systems engineering (nuclear) from Clemson University in 1993. She earned the American Board of Health Physics certification (CHP) in 1998. Debra completed a master of science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2014. She completed this task while working full-time as the ALARA manager for EnergySolutions, Bear Creek Operations.

Debra had a long and successful career with EnergySolutions, spanning a period of 23 years. She was hired in 1992, by what was then Scientific Ecology Group, as a radiological field engineer. She held many key positions, beginning as a radiological field engineer, serving as the ALARA manager and dosimetry manager, and ending her career as the training and dosimetry manager. She was a dedicated employee who worked every day until she was physically no longer able to come to work in December 2016.

Debra was an active member of the East Tennessee Chapter of the Health Physics Society—she was the secretary in 2004 and a councilperson from 2010 to 2012.

Debra and her husband of 36 years, Wesley McCroskey, raised three children, Evan, Justin, and Laina McCroskey. Each of her children graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. Debra was very active with her church family at First Baptist Church of Kingston. She was an active member of the choir, handbell choir, and Awana global ministry and was beloved as a children's Sunday-school teacher.

Debra's battle with cancer spanned a period of 16 years. The way she attacked the disease was an inspiration to all. She would often have chemotherapy treatments on a Friday afternoon and be back at work Monday morning—ready to go to work with a smile on her face. Because of her incredible strength and perseverance, which came from her faith in the Lord, there were many times her coworkers were unaware of the severity of her disease.

Debra was many things in her life: devoted Christian, successful career woman, loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, active church member, coworker, friend, teacher, mentor, and inspiration.

Through her years of battling cancer, Debra would often say, "This world is not my home." Although she will be greatly missed, her battle is over and she is in her true home with her heavenly Father.