Margaret Melhase Fuchs, a pioneering scientist in American research on the atomic nucleus who also worked on the wartime atomic bomb project, but whose career hopes were thwarted by the academic sexism of that era, died Aug. 8 at age 87 at her home in Menlo Park.
In the late 1930s, then a UC Berkeley undergraduate, she and the famed chemist Glenn Seaborg co-discovered an isotope of the element cesium, cesium-137, which is now widely used in industrial research and medical therapy.
Later, during World War II, Mrs. Fuchs worked on the secret atomic bomb project, known as the Manhattan Project, at Berkeley and at the Los Alamos lab in New Mexico.
Born Aug. 13, 1919, in Berkeley, she was the only child of a prominent geologist, John Melhase, and the former Margaret Orchard.
Mrs. Fuchs entered UC Berkeley and majored in chemistry, becoming an honors student. As she considered working toward a post-graduate degree in the subject, a friend who was working under Seaborg suggested that she seek permission to work with him.
She visited Seaborg, who "arranged research space for me on the top floor of the old chemistry building on the Berkeley campus that was affectionately known as the 'Rat House,' " Mrs. Fuchs is quoted as saying in a 1994 historical article by Dr. Dennis Patton for the journal Academic Radiology.
While working at Berkeley, she and Seaborg discovered cesium-137, a soft, malleable silvery metal that is the most common isotope of cesium.
Her plans "to continue into graduate school in chemistry were thwarted in 1941 when Gilbert N. Lewis, the venerated head of the university's department of chemistry, refused for the time being to allow any more women to enter the Berkeley graduate school in chemistry," Patton says in his article. "After all, the last woman he had admitted got married shortly after graduation and 'wasted her entire education.' "
Nonetheless, she did receive her bachelor's degree in nuclear chemistry, and worked on atomic bomb-related projects at Berkeley and Los Alamos.
Her daughter, also named Margaret, recalled her mother reminiscing about "the lifestyle of living under a secret project. (The scientists) worked incredibly long hours, but also made lasting friendships.
"The atmosphere at Los Alamos was sort of like a summer camp. Apparently they lived in dorms and had cookouts and musical events," Margaret Melaney said Wednesday.
Her mother met a UC Berkeley mathematician, Robert A. Fuchs, at a folk dance. They married in 1945 and later moved to Los Angeles. Margaret was one of their three children.
In later years, Mrs. Fuchs was active in social causes. Her daughter recalled that she "was active in the Interfaith Hunger Coalition of Los Angeles, and organized the annual 'Crop Walk,' which marched though the streets to increase awareness of the situation of migrant workers. ... She also helped house immigrant Laotian families who had come to L.A.
"In her 80s, she would drive around East L.A. or to Merced to help move belongings or take them to appointments."
Melaney believes her mother benefited from life's adversity. "Having been turned down as a scientist because she was a woman, she was able to relate to the experiences that others might have, and to use her intelligence to work on their behalf," she said.
Also, "in the true Berkeley spirit, she frequently challenged accepted opinions on race, gender, immigrant rights, gay rights and the role of the homeless. And this was well before these issues became popular."
Margaret Melaney of Menlo Park is her only survivor. A memorial service has been held.