Herbert E. Kubitscek; helped on 1st nuclear chain reaction

Herbert E. Kubitscek, 69, a biologist with Argonne Laboratory whohelped usher in the atomic age, died Tuesday in his Hinsdale home.

As a University of Chicago physics student, Mr. Kubitscek workedunder Enrico Fermi and helped produce the first self-sustainingnuclear chain reaction on Dec. 2, 1942.

After graduation, he worked for the Metallurgical Laboratory ofthe University of Chicago, a predecessor of Argonne, and joinedArgonne in 1951. During the 1950s, Mr. Kubitscek's interests turnedto biology. He studied cell growth, repair of genetic damage and DNAreplication in cells.

Mr. Kubitscek retired from the biological medical researchdivision in 1987, but continued to do research work at Argonne. Hewas adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago from1972 to 1980 and held a similar post at Northern Illinois Universityuntil his death.

He authored or co-authored more than 100 articles in scientificjournals and wrote a book, Introduction to Continuous Cultures, whichtold how to grow cultures of bacteria.

"One of Herb's characteristics was that he was good with thestudents," said Myrick Peak, a scientist. "He leaves a big void."

Survivors include his wife, Jenny; two daughters, Carolyn andWendy Zorns; two sons, Craig and Warren, and two grandchildren.

Services will held at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Union Church ofHinsdale, 137 S. Garfield in the suburb. Burial will be private.