PROGRAMS:

COMPANIES:

• General Dynamics
• Grumman
• NASA

LOCATIONS:

Cape Canaveral, FL
Kennedy Space Center, FL

POSITIONS:

Sr. Flt Test Engr-General Dynamics 1957-1965; Ld Test Supervisor-Nasa 1966-1976; Operations Mgr Atlas/Centaur NASA 1976-1980; Orbiter Mgr, Flow Director, Dir Shuttle Ops, KSC Dir Safety, Shuttle Launch Director-NASA 1980-1998

COMMENTS:

Started with Gen Dynamics in June 1957 on Atlas. On launch team for Project Score in ’58, assigned to Mercury launch team and was head of Launch Control System for all Mercury launches. During Gemini program, we launched all the Gemini targets. Went to Gruman as LEM test conductor for 6 mos when I was employed by NASA as Ld Test Supervisor for the Apollo program. Managed the countdown for Apollos 6,9,12, and 15. Appointed Atlas/Centaur Ops Mgr at close of Apollo program until transferred to Shuttle Program as Orbiter Ops Mgr for STS-1 and Ground Operations Mgr for all Shuttle landings. After  STS-6 assigned to special NASA source board to assign contract to Shuttle Processing Contractor at KSC. Appointed as Flow Director for Columbia and Challenger Orbiters until the failure of STS- 51L. Appointed as Shuttle Ops Dir, then KSC Dir of Safety, then Shuttle Launch Dir in 1995. Retired in 1998.

During the launch of the Atlas for Project Score, I had to fake activating a onboard tracking device (the device had been removed to install the recorder for Pres Eisenhower’s Christmas message) The flight was a classified mission, at the time, as the entire vehicle was put into orbit.

The most important event during the Mercury Program for me was I met and married my wife Jean soon after she came to work for Gen Dynamics.

Post Apollo, I spent several interesting hours with Ron Howard and Tom Hanks when they visited KSC for ideas and info for their making of the film about Apollo 13.

After the Challenger accident, I was asked to participate in the KSC memorial ceremony for the crew by dropping a wreath of flowers from a NASA helicopter over the ocean, which I did. What is not known, by many, was after the wreath landed on the water, 5 dolphins surfaced and circled the wreath.

While serving as KSC’s Safety Director, I was assigned to the Astronaut Selection Board at JSC for several weeks as we interviewed and selected 21 candidates out 150.

During my career, I met lots of interesting people (including celebrities), but none as wonderful as all the different space workers I had the privilege of knowing and working with through all these years.