In Memoriam: Mark William Krohn, CHP

1961-2016

by L. Max Scott, CHP, PhD, and Wei-Hsung Wang, CHP, PhD

Mark W. Krohn, CHP, NRRPT, passed away on 15 June 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 1 April 1961 to Jerry Sr. and Judith Krohn, Mark traveled around the world during his childhood because of his father's foreign assignments with Caterpillar Tractor Company. He was a high school graduate of the International School of Geneva, Switzerland, received his bachelor's degree in general sciences from the University of the State of New York, and earned his master's degree in health physics from Oregon State University. At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a doctoral degree in environmental sciences at Louisiana State University.

Mark began his health physics career in the U.S. Navy and served onboard three nuclear-powered submarines from 1984 to 1990. While serving on a submarine, his quick and precise actions during the accidental flooding of the aft torpedo compartment likely saved the lives of 125 sailors and prevented the sinking of the submarine. During his naval service, he sailed under the polar ice cap and surfaced at the North Pole. After an honorable discharge, Mark became a health physicist at the River Bend Nuclear Power Plant and the Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant. Between 1992 and 2014, he held management positions at Radiation Protection Services, Inc., and ARS International, Inc. (American Radiation Services, Inc.). He later served as vice president and senior health physicist for SC&A, Inc.

Mark was a diplomate of the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP), a member of the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT), and a qualified radiological expert by the New Mexico State Environment Department. He served on the ABHP Part II Panel of Examiners. He was also a member of the American Nuclear Society and the Health Physics Society. Mark was recognized as one of the leading experts on naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) encountered in petroleum, alumina, and titanium production.

Mark was a dynamic member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and had been active as a Boy Scouts leader. He is survived by his wife, Angela Storey Krohn; daughter, Ciara; son, Austin; parents, Jerry Sr. and Judith Krohn; sisters, April Voigtmann and husband Frederick, and Allison Krohn; brothers, Jerry Krohn, Jr., and Paul Krohn and wife Mary.

Mark was a kind soul with an incredible mind and a gentle spirit. He never met a person he did not like, or who did not like him. His wry smile lit up the room and his passion for NORM and teaching was without question. He will surely be missed, not only because he made his mark on the health physics profession and the NORM industry, but also because he was someone we called a dear friend and a worthy colleague.