Private First Class Marvin Robert "Bobby" Owen

I was a contractor working at WSMR from 1976 to 1996 and also serviced the NASA site and HAFB and had just moved to El Paso in 1976. I remember the huge bolders in the road as I came to work the next day entering from the El Paso gate. It was unbelievable the size of the bolders on the road washed there by the water. The basements of many of the buildings were filled with water and after it receded we took much of the equipment out, washed it with a hose and let it dry in the sun. We put it back together, plugged it in and if it smoked, it was scrapped and if it worked, it went back into service. I remember them naming the road after Mr. Ownen. I have thought of it so many times even though I have been gone from WSMR for 28 years. I just came from Aguirre Springs tonight and thought of Mr. Owens as I look down on the lights of WSMR. I found this link by asking ChatGPT about the incident as I wanted to know his full name. There is just something that stays in my memory about this young man. Highest respect and honor to Mr. Owens

Civilian Contractor, David Beard
Sperry Corp.

August 6, 2024