randy.cruz@me.com by Denny Deihl
Robert Hamlin, LU ugrad ’13, has always been a ‘go-to’ guy for Lehigh and wrestling but, after nine years of exemplary service and just about anything else at which you can be exemplary, it’s time for the ‘Vermontster’ to get going. The native of Jonesville, VT was a 3-time wrestling team captain who received his MS degree in May, 2015 – with his thesis on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the simulated heat affected zone in cast precipitation hardened stainless steels 17-4 and 13-8+Mo.
There’s mo! Robert then continued his work on the welding of precipitation hardened stainless steels and received his PhD this Fall after an 8/1/17 dissertation at Lehigh (shown above). His PhD has been approved, with an early September graduation and the official ceremony next May. Answering LUWN questions, Bob said: “I start work at the Naval Nuclear Lab on October 30th. My position is “Senior Research Welding Engineer.” At this point I know my job will involve optimizing materials for nuclear reactors. It requires security clearance, which I just received; they can’t tell me a whole lot until I get there.” If that sounds like serious work, it’ll take place at the Naval Lab’s Knolls Atomic Power
Laboratory facility in Niskayuna, NY, near Schenectady. The facility develops the world’s top nuclear propulsion systems and trains sailors to operate them. It was established in 1946, under contract with GE and the Manhattan Engineering District before assignment to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). By 1950, the Lab’s power reactor efforts were transferred to Navy submarine propulsion development, pioneered by then Captain Hyman G. Rickover.
Facts: KAPL’s reactor design powered USS Seawolf 575, the Nation’s second nuclear powered submarine launched in 1955. By the mid-1950s, KAPL focused on Naval nuclear propulsion. It developed the dual pressurized water reactors for USS Triton (around the world in 83 days), for the guided missile cruiser USS Bainbridge and the reactor cores that power current Nimitz Class carriers. KAPL is the lead design lab for the newest Virginia Class fast attack submarines and is leading the design effort on the next generation ballistic missile submarine (Ohio Class Replacement Project).
PERSONAL NOTES: Among countless chats and interviews with Hammy over the years, I learned he had a penchant for saying ‘no’ whenever it suited him. In 2007, he turned down a full ride offer from Cornell in favor of a need-based offer near 70& from Lehigh, where he enjoyed our coaches, campus and engineering programs. At least twice he said ‘no’ to NCAA grant offers: “I was on financial aid my first two years and my 4th; on NCAA grants my 3rd and 5th year. My first two years cost more compared to my 4th; I lived on campus and paid room and board. The two years on grants were essentially full-ride, I think around 98%.
In 2013 Hamlin committed to train annually with the LVAC (LVWC) but said ‘no’ to my offer as Development Director to request compensation for him. While most Americans would happily double dip, Robert replied: “My post-grad package is so generous that I won’t need added income” (he did accept travel stipends to compete).
P.P.S: in addition to volunteering to help train ugrad wrestlers like Nathaniel Brown and compete for the LVWC, he’s often the outdoors, including running, biking, hiking. He’s especially high on another 184 lb contender, Chris Weiler, who’ll compete with Andrew Price this Fall.
Their teammates may razz them in the future, but the self-effacing former roommates Hamlin and Kevin Bailey won’t be starring in any TV tropes of “doctor … doctor.” After four years at Ohio U’s Heritage School of Osteopathic Medicine, Kevin graduated this May. Last month he began his residency in orthopedic surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Kevin will be in residency for five years, plus one for a fellowship focused on a surgical specialty.
Bailey, though less familiar to Lehigh fans, battled knee injuries as a collegian (no doubt an inspiration for his current work) yet fashioned a fine 4-year mark of 61-29, mostly in opens (2-2 duals). After a 16-11 r-freshman year, Kevin then went 56-18 (.757) and enjoyed knocking off rivals from, among others, Michigan, Rutgers, Pitt, Cornell (2x vs Duke Pickett).
What are the chances of Lehigh teammates going on to earn medical or PhD degrees Working from memory (such as it is), the LUWN reached out to add feedback from coach and alumni insiders representing five decades since the mid-50’s. More additions are welcome to the list below (min. requirement two or more varsity bouts). Pat Santoro’s wife, Julie, belongs on the list with a PhD in Education received from Maryland, plus her work in child education.
- 1955 Paul Klinedinst 123
- 1956 Ed Eichelberger VA 147
- 1958 Joe Gratto NY 137
- 1964 Larry White NY 137
- 1966 Billy Stuart CT 137
- 1967 Glenn Amsbaugh PA 152
- 1968 Mark Kishel PA 145
- 1970 Gary Leinberger PA Hwt
- 1973 Craig Reimer PA 158
- 1976 Tihamer Toth-Fejel CA 142
- 1978 Charles Brown PA 158
- 1979 Greg Cunningham NJ 142
- 1997 Marc Lombardy NJ 134
- 2000 Mark Dufresne NJ 174
- 2002 Aaron Paterson CO 157
- 2006 Brian LaMay CA 184
- 2010 Manuel Schubert MI 174
- 2012 Kevin Bailey OH 184
- 2013 Robert Hamlin VT 174