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Dr. Ralph Alexander Gardner-Chavis (December 3, 1922-March 27, 2018) was an African American chemist researcher and scientist who worked for the University of Chicago MET Laboratory and later Stanford Oil Company and Cleveland State University Chemistry Department. During his time with his respective research positions, he is most notable for his “Fat Man” Implosion bomb and Manhattan Project research with the MET Laboratory. The later project contributing to the use of the Atomic Bomb in World War II.

Throughout his career, Gardner-Chavis was an advocate for education and inclusion for African American students while being a college educator. He was later recognized by the History Makers; the nation's largest African American video oral history collection for his accolades and work in 2004.

Early Life and Education
Garnder-Chavis was born on December 3, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents were Vivian Hicks Garnder; a housewife and teacher and Clarence Chavis-Gardner a musician and government worker. He also has a sister named Vivian Garnder Papson. He and his sister grew up in the Cleveland area and attended Cleveland Public Schools. He first attended Bulton Elementary School and Audubon Junior High School. He later graduated from John Adams High School in 1939.

Gardner-Chavis went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1943. During his time at the university he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc in 1932. After establishing his career in the Chemistry research field he went to earn his masters and PhD in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University in 1952 and 1959 respectively. While pursuing his postgraduate studies, he became a member of the Philosopher's Club at Case Western University.

Career
Subsequently after graduating from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gardner-Chavis began his career by accepting a job as a research assistant at the University of Chicago MET Laboratory in 1943. He contributed to plutonium research on the Manhattan Project that later produced the atomic bomb that ended World War II.

While working at the MET Lab, Gardner-Chavis also worked closely with fellow atomic researcher and scientist Enrico Fermi and radioactive scientist Nathan Sugarman on classified plutonium research. This research was later critical for the Fat Man Implosion bomb, the worlds first nuclear reactor.

After working at the MET Lab for four years, Gardner-Chavis left his research position in 1947 and worked as a waiter for two years.

In 1949, he continued with his chemical research career by taking the position of project leader and research chemist at the Stanford Oil Company in Ohio for nearly twenty years until 1968. While working with the Oil Company, he designed chemical processes for refining petroleum products.

Later Career & Advocacy, Accomplishments
After leaving the Stanford Oil Company, Gardner-Chavis in 1968 assumed a position at the Cleveland State University Chemistry Department as a professor until 1985. During his tenure as a professor, he advocated for inclusion of black studies and multi-racial courses in the curriculum at Cleveland State.

While working as a professor, he worked within the Molecular Technology Corporation at the University. He was on the board of directors and served as vice president of research in the department where he worked on studying catalysis and molecular technology. While working in the lab, Gardner-Chavis upholded emeritus status at the Chemistry Department at CSU.

He continued his advocacy for young students by taking an interest in early childhood learning and development. Gardner-Chavis started a program with undergraduate students at Cleveland State that hosted events for reading to children and babies.

Gardner-Chavis later became a part of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2001. In 2004, Gardner-Chavis was recognized for his work and achievements by The History Makers, the nation's largest African American video oral history collection in Chicago, IL.

Personal Life
Gardner-Chavis married Francis Bailey-Gardner. The couple had a son named Ralph Jr. He is also the distant relative of John Chavis, who was one of the first African American students to attend Princeton University.

Death
Gardner-Chavis passed away on March 27, 2018 at the age of 95 in Montery Park, California.