Mr. Pyron repaired and maintained airborne radar equipment during World War II, working from a ship stationed in the Pacific. He returned to his native Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech, intending to become a math major.

"He got in a rather long line to register in the school of mathematics," said Tech colleague Frank Williamson of Decatur. "Someone said the line for the physics department is shorter, so Berry went to that. He ended up with a bachelor's and master's degree in physics."

After earning his master of science degree in 1952, Mr. Pyron joined Tech's physics faculty. A few years later, he transferred to the Engineering Experiment Station -- later renamed Georgia Tech Research Institute -- and began a long career in research and development.

"It was secret beyond secret," said his boss, Bob Goodman of Marietta.

Berry Owen Pyron, 80, of Atlanta, died Monday of heart problems en route to a doctor's office. The body will be cremated. Wages & Sons Funeral Home, Stone Mountain, is in charge of arrangements. The memorial service is 11 a.m. today at the Bill Moore Student Success Center, Georgia Tech.

At the research institute, Mr. Pyron worked with the government on projects involving radio transmission and what Mr. Goodman called "understanding and replicating Soviet surface-to-air missile systems."

The security requirements were "onerous" and the deadlines were tight, said Dorothy Brown of Marietta, one of the researchers Mr. Pyron supervised on his team. "He was a very capable director who led with an easy hand and was always understanding and willing to help," said Mrs. Brown. "His knowledge of science had a wide spectrum, not a narrow focus."

His hobbies were just as broad. But his passions did not allow for a middle ground.

"Berry did not like movies, abhorred television, and hated sports," said his friend, Kathleen Mainland of Atlanta.

He amused himself with stereo photography and astronomy; he helped found the Atlanta Astronomy Club in 1948. He foraged junk stores for bargains, made jewelry for friends from stones he cut and polished, and collected firearms and coins.

Mr. Pyron once found an ad for "Roman Rubbish," and ordered it, said Ms. Mainland. "He got this bag of bits and pieces of metal and coins and rings, all broken and twisted. Berry was tickled to death to think he was handling something that had been on someone's finger in ancient Rome."

Fascinated by Mayan and Aztec culture, Mr. Pyron made numerous archaeological trips to the Yucatan.

Every Nov. 5, he hosted a Guy Fawkes party at his home, celebrating the night in 1605 the Englishman conspired to blow up Parliament. "Guests were invited to make an effigy of Guy Fawkes and burn them in his back yard," said Ms. Mainland. "Berry was always up for fun of any sort."

He is survived by his wife, Amy Collins Pyron.