Joseph E. Henderson, 92, Founder Of UW Physics Lab

Joseph E. Henderson - a "born leader" who founded the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab and helped supply equipment for nuclear-bomb tests on Bikini atoll in the Pacific - was good-natured but "stubborn to a fault, probably because he was right."

His daughter Anna Chavelle, M.D., of Seattle, said he also inspired several dozen UW physics graduate students - many of whom, including manufacturer John Fluke, became famous in their own right.

"He pushed them hard but let them go off in their own direction," she said.

Mr. Henderson, said to have inspired great loyalty in those students, died Monday. He was 92.

His daughter said he also "had a lot of bright ideas where he would use pure science but take it to a practical, industrial application."

Some ideas found their way into products he developed for the Navy as a private subcontractor after he retired from the UW in 1972.

Born in New Cumberland, W.Va., Mr. Henderson was fascinated with geology. But when he went to Yale University - where he met his wife, also a physicist - a professor excited him about the work of Albert Einstein.

Mr. Henderson joined the UW physics faculty in 1929. He brought nuclear physics and cosmic-ray research to the curriculum.

Mr. Henderson and his wife also set up a laboratory in their basement, where they developed the first pressurized cabins for The Boeing Co.

"Few people know about that," said his daughter. "But my father didn't stretch the truth. He was a quiet man, really."

During World War II, Mr. Henderson and other UW physicists developed the proximity fuse to help the English destroy German bombs.

In 1970 he retired from the Applied Physics Lab because of controversy over the Vietnam War and the UW lab's role in weapons development for it.

But he found work in his own company and founded the Naval Undersea Museum Foundation in Keyport, Kitsap County. And he earned the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy at age 70.

For 47 years he published a family Christmas newsletter on a printing press in his basement.

"But the happiest he ever was when he was cruising on his boat in the San Juans," said a granddaughter, Judy Chipman of Seattle.

Physics-lab colleague Wayne Sandstrom said, "He owned some property on the Sechelt Peninsula northwest of Vancouver, B.C., for the express purpose of having some place to go on that boat."

Other survivors include his son, William Henderson of Allentown, Pa.; his daughter, Elizabeth Gordon of Vancouver, Wash.; his sister, Anna Gardiner of Seattle; six other grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Remembrances may be sent to the Naval Undersea Museum Foundation, Keyport, WA 98345; to the Henderson Family Fund (providing awards for physics dissertations at the UW), c/o Physics Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; and Northwest Hospital Foundation, 1550 N. 115th St., Seattle, WA 98133.

Services have been held.