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Education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering from U. S. L.
Career history: 37 years with
NASA as a rocket safety engineer
Professional achievements:
Assisted in development of the Range safety (ground and
flight safety control associated with all phases of rocket,
balloon, and aircraft operations) policy at the Wallops
Flight Facility, designing fueling systems for exotic liquid
propellants. Presented safety paper to European Space
Agency, received NASA Exceptional Service Medal, safety
adviser to Italian Space Agency in Kenya on 3 occasions.
Served on NASA safety review team to review the total safety
program (personnel, training, procedures, reviews for
missions, hours worked approval cycle, and other relevant
findings) at the Kennedy Space Center following the
Challenger accident, the Tiger team examined the total
safety program at Kennedy. We were not involved in any
investigation of the Challenger, which was conducted by the
Rogers Commission.
Spouse: Nancy Sawyer (deceased
1999)– I met my wife: at a social function near my workplace
Spouse’s career interests:
Office Manager at a nursing home, loved bingo and being with
her grandchildren
Personal Interests and leisured
activities: reading, golf, racquetball, and travel
Personal information: My
parents were Marvin (deceased) and Bessie Sawyer – We had
two children and four grandchildren - two daughters, four
grandsons
I am no longer employed, but I am doing
some part time consulting and I am more vigorously pursuing
my current interests of golf, reading, and physical fitness
training
Major events in your life after BHS:
college, marriage, children, grandchildren, and a rewarding
career with NASA
The accomplishments of which I am most
proud are NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and Chairman of
the NASA Operations and Engineering Panel. Being recognized
as a national and international expert in the field of range
safety, and for my contributions to the success of the NASA
sounding rocket and aeronautical programs, and professional
dedication to improving safety in operations.
Some things I recall about BHS in
the fifties? How close we were, going to Leodocia’s
home, Mr. Franks, Mr. Tyrone, Jr., senior prom, and
rehearsing for the senior play.
I have had a rewarding life and I tried
(I think successfully) to have a good time. But on the
downside, losing my wife to cancer was devastating. Yet, I
have continued to live a positive forward-looking life, and
for the last two years I have been seeing a very special
lady in my life.
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