Geagley, William C., 1890-1971

William Carl Geagley was a civilian observer at the Nevada Test Site during Operation Plumbbob from June 8, 1957 to June 30, 1957. Born July 21, 1890, Geagley graduated from Michigan State College in 1913 with a B.S. in Sciences and Agriculture. A high school science and agriculture teacher, he later worked as a chemical researcher and Chief of the Clinical Laboratory Division of the Michigan Department of Agriculture. In the 1950s he was appointed as a regional Civil Defense Coordinator for the Lansing, MI area. It was because of his role as a Civil Defense volunteer that he was selected to participate in Operation Plumbbob a series of nuclear tests that took place at the Nevada Test Site from May through October 1957. The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development's William C. Geagley Laboratory was named in his honor, and it oversees pesticide and food safety.