J. Robert Oppenheimer spotted in old family film footage

Jessica Barron
·2 min read
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SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) – A retiree in Socorro, New Mexico was amazed to see “The Father of the Atomic Bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer, captured in a decades-old family movie.

“We’re going through it, and we see this guy with a hat on,” said 70-year-old Gary Jaramillo, a retired musician.

The film showed moments from the New Mexico Tech 49ers Parade in 1952. A man holding a camera, wearing a flat-top hat with a wide brim, walks in front.

“So I did some stuff on the computer and online and found out who it was and it was Robert Oppenheimer,” said Jaramillo.

Local historians and officials from New Mexico Tech also helped confirm that the man in the film was Oppenheimer.

Jaramillo’s uncle, Joe Wills, was the manager of the Loma Theater in Socorro in the 1950s. He had a passion for capturing town events on film.

After his uncle passed away, Jaramillo’s aunt passed down his uncle’s films to him. Jaramillo says he never expected to find such a gem featuring the man known as “the Father of the Atomic Bomb.” Oppenheimer settled in the Socorro area following the testing of the bomb during World War II.

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It may not be the big-screen “Oppenheimer” spectacle nominated for several Academy Awards on Sunday, but for Jaramillo, it captured a key piece of his hometown history.

“It’s like a little diamond in the rough…the guy, you know Robert Oppenheimer was here and he lived here,” said Jaramillo.

Although the plaza has changed a lot since Oppenheimer was seen walking through, Jaramillo said he hopes this will forever be a part of history.

“It’s not something that you put in your closet and keep and don’t let anyone have. It’s something that everybody should know about because everyone should be able to see parts of history not only in Socorro but all over New Mexico,” said Jaramillo.

Jaramillo said he will showcase the film at a festival in Socorro in October.

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