PATE, Dr. Zack Taylor, PhD, Capt. USN (Ret)
dr Zack T. Pate, 86, passed away of heart failure on September 4, 2022. He was a graduate of Leesburg High School of Leesburg, Georgia, the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1958), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (PhD, ’70). He was recognized for a lifetime of outstanding and continuing meritorious service in support of the Navy, the submarine force, and the nuclear power industry.
dr Pate served the Navy with great distinction for over 22 years of commissioned service. Furthermore, he served for over four decades in an influential leadership role as a champion for industrial nuclear power plant safety. He made contributions of extraordinary value to the nation and the entire world.
His life story is one of pursuing excellence and boldly assuming the highest responsibilities of command and citizenship, initially in his Navy career and then in leading two major civilian organizations. He shaped them into positions of impact in the global nuclear energy industry.
He commanded USS SUNFISH (SSN 649), earned his Doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from MIT. CAPT Pate was early selected for Navy Captain and was personally chosen by the Chief of Naval Operations to be the Prospective Commanding Officer of the USS OHIO (SSBN 726), the first new class of ballistic missile submarines. When the construction of the OHIO was delayed, CAPT Pate was selected by Admiral Hyman Rickover to serve on the Naval Reactors team.
In the wake of the Three Mile Island Incident in 1979, the commercial nuclear power industry established the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). It’s mission is to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability in the operation of commercial nuclear power electricity generating plants. With Admiral Rickover’s support, Dr. Pate retired from active Navy service in 1980 to join INPO as Chief of Staff for INPO’s CEO, Vice Admiral Dennis Wilkinson, USN (Ret.) With a PhD from MIT (and a thesis written on nuclear safety, his personal passion), he possessed the gravitas and drive to establish standards of excellence for an entire private sector industry. dr Pate took the helm at INPO in 1984 where his vision, energy, and selfless efforts led to the US being recognized as the gold standard for nuclear plant safety and reliability. After the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, he repeated that success in playing a key role in the founding of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
dr Pate retired from INPO in 1998. He had led the commercial US nuclear power industry from being an international laggard to a world leader. He received multiple awards in the industry and was elected a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering for “promoting and achieving significant improvements in the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants worldwide.” He also received the William S. Lee Award for Industry Leadership and the Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award. Following his retirement from INPO and during his chairmanship of WANO, he served on many industry associations and boards.
dr Pate was an avid sportsman, outdoorsman, and pilot. He savored time with friends hunting game around the world and at his shooting club, Burge. A precise marksman, gardener and conservationist, Dr. Godfather relished his time in God’s creation.
dr Pate was the son of Zack and Maxine Kearse Pate of Leesburg, Georgia. His sister, Clairose Brannen, predeceased him. dr Pate is survived by a nephew, Sam Brannen; and a niece, Laura Brannen. dr Pate was deeply devoted to his wife, Bettye B. Pate, to whom he was married 63 years, residing in Atlanta for over 40 years.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Pate’s family asks that gifts in his memory be given to the organization that meant the most to him: World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)
Mail to: Institute Nuclear Power Operations, 700 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, ATTN: Kris Straw
There will be a graveside service this Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 2 PM in Albany, Georgia. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors. The Kimbrell Star Funeral is handling arrangements. A celebration of life will be held at the Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 11:00 AM.
Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sep. 8, 2022.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315ATo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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