Richard J. (Jack) Erfurdt

  • Colonel (Ret.)

Colorado School of Mines, 1964
Hometown:  Golden, CO
Inducted May 2014

Colonel (Ret) Richard J.(Jack) Erfurdt graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering. Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in May 1964, he served in the Corps of Engineers with the United States Army. His military education includes Parachute Training and the Army Corps of Engineers Basic and Advanced Officer Courses, and Command and General Staff College. In addition he holds Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Metallurgical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.

Colonel (Ret) Erfurdt served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 307th Engineer Battalion, and the 84th Engineer Battalion (Construction) in Qui Nhon, Vietnam. He commanded the 1st Maneuver Training Command (MTC); and held the position of the Assistant Division Commander of the 91st Division.

In addition to military service, Colonel (Ret) Erfurdt completed 28 years in nuclear manufacturing, principally for Rockwell International. During this time he performed in numerous positions from Metallurgical Engineer to Director. In 1996, he was selected as a Nuclear Safeguards Inspector for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an agency of the United Nations. He received extensive training in nuclear accounting, surveillance, sealing, non-destructive assaying, and aspects relating to the fabrication of nuclear weapons. He participated in over 100 nuclear safeguard inspections in all types of nuclear facilities: enrichment, fuel fabrication, research reactors, storage facilities, research facilities, and power reactors (including the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi Power Reactors that were damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2012).

Colonel (Ret) Erfurdt鈥檚 military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service medal 3rd Award, Army Commendation Medal 3rd Award, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Parachutist Badge.

Colonel Erfurdt is originally from Morrison Colorado. He now resides with his wife Sandi in Golden, CO. They have six children: (Rhonda Decker, Bryan Erfurdt, Nick Sherwood, Tod Erfurdt, Jill Herrick, and Michele Huskin), thirteen grand-children, and four great grand-children.