Honoring a Legacy on Veterans Day

Last year, Battelle celebrated the 90th anniversary of providing scientific solutions for our customers and service to our communities. Throughout those 90 years, Battelle has proudly maintained the tradition of supporting the United States armed forces with science, research and technology.

Veterans Day is the special time each year that we  honor the service people who put everything on the line to preserve our freedom. This year, we had the privilege of speaking with U.S. Marine veteran and Battelle retiree Roy Higgins about his 35-year tenure solving with Battelle.

Higgins was born in 1929, the same year that Battelle was founded. While working in the jewelry industry as a watch repairman, Higgins enlisted in the Marine Corps after seeing a sign that read: “The Marines Need A Few Good Men”. Soon after enlisting, he went directly into combat in Korea.

After Higgins returned to civilian life, he began looking for a new job. There was an opening at Battelle and Higgins landed it. Battelle provided Higgins with the means to take a few classes at Ohio State University and his mechanical drawing skills primed him for an incredible career at Battelle.

Nuclear weaponry, hot isostatic processing and an innovative two-stage vacuum system are all Battelle technologies in which Higgins played an integral part during his 35-year career. Learn about Battelle’s inventions over the past 90 years here.

When asked what made him the proudest about his 35 years with Battelle, Higgins replied: “Well, I met a lot of good people…they wanted to do something.” This mission-first mindset is emblematic of the approach that’s allowed Battelle to affect society positively for the last 90 years.  

At Battelle, we seek to give back to heroes like Roy Higgins not only on Veterans Day but every day. Our financial support of the Honor Flight Columbus program allows us to help provide veterans with a special day meant to honor them. Battelle also assists the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors through our financial contributions from both the organization and our individual employees. Finally, Battelle engages our service people, both past and present, through our Military Support ERG to help further the Battelle mission.

If you are a veteran interested in a new mission, learn more about career opportunities at Battelle.
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Our mission at Battelle is to drive societal impact through science and technologic advances. Retired service members are an integral part of our mission-first culture, and we’re always looking for veterans to join our team of Solvers.

Thanks again to all who have served our country.