Jerry Bernard Hannifin

Jerry Hannifin Obituary

JERRY B. HANNIFIN COCOA BEACH Jerry Bernard Hannifin, 91, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Sep tember 18, 2008 after an exciting journal istic career that took him from Alaska to Central and South America for TIME Magazine. During most of his four decades as the magazines chief aerospace correspondent, as well as specialist on Latin America, he interviewed promi nent people such as Igor and Serge Sikorsky, aeronautical geniuses; Milton Eisenhower, the late presidents brother; Kelly Johnson, stealth planes designer; and Fidel Castro. He reported mainly for TIME, but also served as editor of the Spanish edition of LIFE maga zine. He collected more awards that fit on his office wall; the Strebig-Dobben Memorial Award for distinguished contri butions to the public under standing of commercial aviation and air transport; the Lauren D. Lyman prize for integrity, accu racy and excellence in reporting and writing; the Cecil A. Brown low Award for his aviation arti cles; as well as numerous awards from the Aviation and Space Writers Association and the National Space Club. Columbia University recog nized him with its Maria Moors Cabot award. A native of Boise, Idaho, Hannifin graduated from the citys schools and started his career with Boises Capital News and United Press, right after graduation from UCLAs Berkeley. A private pilot since 1949, Hannifin flew a number of early aircraft as well as the F-18 Hornet fighter jet and the B-52 bomber. More recently, he covered dozens of space shuttle mis sions from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After years of trying, Hannifin received permis sion to visit aviation and space installations in the former Soviet Union. He led a delegation of other prominent journalists to the Communist nation, including Star Citys cosmonaut training center. He also guest lectured on Soviet aerospace technology at the National War College. Hannifin is survived by his wife, Sue Butler Hannifin, a retired aerospace journalist of Cocoa Beach; a daughter, Consuelo Jacob of CA Califor nia; stepdaughter, Penny Bowman, of Massachusetts; and John and Col. (ret.) Pat ORorke of Boise. No services are planned.

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Published by FloridaToday on Sep. 21, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Hannifin

7 Entries

Rich Balistreri

October 6, 2008

There are few in our family tree that make me proud like my Uncle Jerry. Uncle Jerry's long list of awards and important accomplishments, some of which could not be matched by an ordinary man make my children and I very proud. I know his sister Elizabeth, my grandmother was also very proud of her brother's accomplishments.
I remember being very young and enjoying Uncle Jerry's stories and encouraging words. I still have many of the gifts that were sent to me by him. I remember showing off my space shuttle binder to all my friends.
I myself am a business man. Although I work very hard I most likely will not have a list as long as Uncle Jerry's. I hope my children see this and are motivated by it.
One accomplishment that has been overlooked was his ability to communicate motivation, caring, and influence.
We will miss him.
Rich,Nicole,Phillip,& Julia

Mark Thompson

October 3, 2008

Jerry was, as an aviation journalist, a prince of the heavens. Now that he's escaped these surly bonds, he is a prince of the heavens. Godspeed my friend.

John O'Neal

September 30, 2008

My Uncle Jerry was perhaps the most eccentric person you could possibly know. The moment I learned about his passing will be burned into my soul forever. We all have those crazy uncles who like to inspire us with interesting stories, full of adventures, enlightened vocabulary, and a desire to hear more.
He didn’t just cover the Space Program for TIME, he lived NASA. As a school teacher I find myself utilizing his thoughts, his wisdom, and “archaic” photos and stats he some how got his hands and gave to me as a youngling way back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I have the first pictures of the Challenger disaster showing the SRB’s spewing smoke foreshadowing the fiery doom of those poor souls with his writing on them saying how NASA hid the photos for weeks. I have pictures of Jupiter’s moon Io erupting huge plumes of blue gas long before we knew anything about the gas giants.
I also have the great letter he wrote me upon graduating from college that depicts many of his journeys through Central America encountering the Sandinistas of Nicaragua and his meetings with Mr. Manuel Noriega.
I live in the North End house he grew up in. His hands have touched the old Edison Radio, Rhododendron, and Rose Bushes his mom planted decades ago. Uncle Jerry was the son of John B. Hannifin and Isabella Munn Hannifin. He was my grandmother’s (Elizabeth Hannifin) brother, a solid American, and a man I will have a hard time forgetting. God Bless you Jerry. As I look to heavens with my son each night you can be sure you’ll be talked about. Connor loves the planets, he loves the stars, and I only have you to thank.

Thanks for the love, warm thoughts, and priceless memories
To all who come across this message please emphasize to your kids, students, and family that We need more people like Jerry B. Hannifin in this World. His loss is incalculable.

Appreciatively,
John O’Neal (Great Grandson of John B. Hannifin)
Perhaps the luckiest nephew of all time

Sherry/Carl Migdail

September 23, 2008

Jerry was our closest friend for many years - contact in recent years was less frequent than any of us could have predicted - but the love remained and is still there ..
Sherry and Carl Migdail

Colleen Feeney

September 22, 2008

I had the pleasure of knowing Jerry for 13 years,and the world will never be the same, without this wonderful and warm man in it. I will truly miss him everyday of my life. Godspeed in your journey, my friend, I hope the skies are always blue!!

Tom Trusky

September 21, 2008

Jerry was an incredibly helpful and encouraging friend and resource. His counsel and optimism will be greatly missed. Condolences to his family--and his many friends.

Bill Larson

September 21, 2008

Jerry was giant in the field of aerospace journalism..much of it due to the accuracy and ethics in all of his efforts. He will be sorely missed as a journalist, a friend and as a reporter who followed every story to its ultimate conclusion. So, to Jerry, CAVU.

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