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Topic: DFRC, KSC Director Lee Scherer (1919-2011)
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-09-2011 10:05 PM
Dryden, Kennedy Director Lee Scherer (1919-2011)It is with sadness that I inform you of the passing of our former KSC Director, Lee Scherer. Lee died early Saturday morning in his California home with his wife Sheryn by his side. — Robert Cabana, Kennedy Space Center DirectorLee R. Scherer was director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center from Jan. 19, 1975 to Sept. 2, 1979. Prior to his appointment as Kennedy Space Center director, Scherer was director of NASA's Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, responsible for the conduct of advanced aeronautical flight research. A 1942 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he received a bachelor of science degree in Naval Science, Scherer's operational experience in the Navy included assignments as a fighter pilot operating from various aircraft carriers. Prior to entering the Naval Academy, he attended the University of Kentucky. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1949, and a professional degree (aeronautical engineer) from the California Institute of Technology in 1950. He was awarded a doctorate degree in engineering science from the University of Central Florida in 1979. From 1950 to 1953, he was flying qualities project officer for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, responsible for establishing stability and control specifications for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, and for approval of flight tests to meet these objectives prior to acceptance by the Navy. From 1953 to 1956, he held several assignments, both in Washington, D.C., and on the staff of commander, Fleet Air Hawaii. He was special assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research and development from 1956 through 1959, the period when Vanguard, Polaris, and ballistic missile nuclear submarines were developed. He served as technical assistant to the team responsible for the establishment of the Anti- Submarine Warfare Research Center for NATO in La Spezia, Italy from 1959 to 1962. In 1962 he was head of the Aircraft Production Branch, responsible for planning, management and cost control in production of new Navy aircraft. In 1962, on assignment from the Navy to NASA Headquarters, he was program manager for Lunar Orbiter, unmanned spacecraft that photographed the Moon from low lunar orbit to provide data for the selection of Apollo landing sites. All five spacecraft performed their missions successfully. He retired from the Navy with the rank of captain in 1964, following 25 years of service, and remained in NASA as director of lunar programs for the Office of Space Sciences. From 1967 to 1971, Scherer was director of the Apollo Lunar Exploration Office, responsible for scientific aspects of lunar exploration. He held this position during the first five lunar missions. Scherer received NASA's Exceptional Service Award in 1967, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award in 1969, and the NASA Distinguished Service Award in 1974. He received the 1976-77 General Lewis H. Brereton Award, presented annually by the Air Force Association (Florida) to the Florida civilian making the greatest contribution to aerospace during the year. Scherer directed the center during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project - a joint manned space venture with the Soviet Union in 1975 - and the early buildup for the Space Shuttle program. Scherer left KSC on Sept. 2, 1979 to assume the post of associate administrator for external relations at NASA Headquarters. |
Fezman92 Member Posts: 1031 From: New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 05-09-2011 10:16 PM
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ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-10-2011 12:07 AM
I was only looking at a photo of Lee last night while proof-reading for my book on the selection of the Mercury 7 astronauts. He was a good friend of one of the Mercury finalists, Dale Cox, and had sent me some nice material for the book. He seemed like a really nice guy. Vale Lee Scherer. |
Henk Boshuijer Member Posts: 450 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007
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posted 05-10-2011 12:38 AM
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randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-10-2011 03:30 AM
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GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-10-2011 04:17 AM
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KSCartist Member Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 05-10-2011 05:30 AM
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SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-10-2011 05:35 AM
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history in miniature Member Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-10-2011 06:22 AM
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albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-10-2011 08:41 AM
I might've missed it in his bio, but he was also the first to land an aircraft at KSC too.Great guy. 91. God Bless. |
hlbjr Member Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 05-10-2011 08:53 AM
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Kite Member Posts: 831 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 05-10-2011 10:53 AM
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apolloprojeckt Member Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 05-10-2011 10:58 AM
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MikeSpace unregistered
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posted 05-10-2011 11:27 AM
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413 is in Member Posts: 628 From: Alexandria, VA USA Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-10-2011 02:20 PM
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Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
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posted 05-10-2011 02:58 PM
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FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-10-2011 03:28 PM
Here at the San Diego Air & Space Museum we are saddened to hear of the loss of Lee. He was here quite a lot in 2009, including when we did a two-hour oral history with him (conducted by collectSPACE's own Jim Busby). Here is an extract where he gives a humorous account of being given the Lunar Orbiter program to run in the hurried days of the Space Race with the Soviets to the moon.You'd never have guessed this spry and sharp guy was 90 years old at the time. Lee Scherer was a fascinating guy with a lot of great stories about the many, varied programs he was involved in. He'll be missed. Here is a photo I took at the museum's "Race To the Moon" event in September 2009, with NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden: |
E2M Lem Man Member Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 05-10-2011 06:05 PM
It is with great sadness that I see that this great man has passed. Lee had to face a shrinking program as director of both centers.I felt honored that I was able to get to meet and interview Lee in his later days. Clear Skies, Lee! J.M. Busby |
Apollo-Soyuz Member Posts: 1205 From: Shady Side, Md Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 05-10-2011 07:33 PM
As a tribute to Lee Scherer, I want to share the above cover which commemorates the first landing at the Shuttle Landing Facility on May 21, 1976 piloted by KSC Director, Lee Scherer.------------------ John Macco Space Unit #1457 |
jasonelam Member Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 05-10-2011 10:18 PM
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East-Frisian Member Posts: 586 From: Germany Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 05-11-2011 11:05 AM
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dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 05-11-2011 09:34 PM
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Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 05-12-2011 02:48 PM
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fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 05-12-2011 03:14 PM
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Lunar rock nut Member Posts: 911 From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 05-13-2011 05:54 AM
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747flyer Member Posts: 99 From: New York, NY Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-13-2011 03:19 PM
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747flyer Member Posts: 99 From: New York, NY Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-13-2011 03:20 PM
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astro-nut Member Posts: 946 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-14-2011 02:55 PM
.May God Bless his family during this difficult time. |
spaceman1953 Member Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 05-16-2011 01:56 PM
Thanks for helping get us to the Moon!. |