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John Houbolt
1919 - 2014
John Houbolt
1919 - 2014
Obituary
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BORN
1919
DIED
2014
John Houbolt Obituary
Houbolt died Tuesday at a nursing home in Maine of complications from Parkinson's disease, his son-in-law Tucker Withington confirmed Saturday.
As NASA describes on its website, while under pressure during the U.S.-Soviet space race, Houbolt was the catalyst in securing U.S. commitment to the science and engineering theory that eventually carried the Apollo crew to the moon and back safely.
His efforts in the early 1960s are largely credited with convincing NASA to focus on the launch of a module carrying a crew from lunar orbit, rather than a rocket from Earth or a spacecraft while orbiting the planet.
Houbolt argued that a lunar orbit rendezvous, or lor, would not only be less mechanically and financially onerous than building a huge rocket to take man to the moon or launching a craft while orbiting the Earth, but it also was the only option to meet President John F. Kennedy's challenge before the end of the decade.
NASA describes "the bold step of skipping proper channels" that Houbolt took by pushing the issue in a private letter in 1961 to an incoming administrator.
"Do we want to go to the moon or not?" Houbolt asks. "... why is a much less grandiose scheme involving rendezvous ostracized or put on the defensive? I fully realize that contacting you in this manner is somewhat unorthodox, but the issues at stake are crucial enough to us all that an unusual course is warranted."
Houbolt started his career with NASA's predecessor in 1942, served in the Army Corps of Engineers and worked in an aeronautical research and consulting firm before returning to NASA in 1976 as chief aeronautical scientist. He retired in 1985 but continued private consulting work.
Houbolt earned degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned a doctorate from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Zurich in 1957.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
37 Entries
Bill Weeks
April 10, 2024
I was fortunate to work as an intern for Dr. Houbolt in the summer of 1970 while between my junior and senior years at Princeton. More than an employer we was a tudor, a supporter and an encouragement to me in my career aspirations. That same summer i was able to obtain my private pilots license as he cheered me on. Several times over the summer, he would take our small crew out for lunch, often ordering his favorite drink - vodka martini with a twist of lemon. I will never forget that.
In the academic year that followed he served as my supervisor for my senior paper on vertical atmospheric sheer and turbulence. During that same time, he allowed me to housesit (surviving thru an interior squirrel attack) and for a brief period adopting a skunk from a daughter..... I think Joanna.
Thank you Dr. Houbolt for all you have meant to my life. Our friendship will last forever.
Bill Weeks
Steven Bradeen
April 11, 2016
John never received the recognition he deserved for the contributions he made to the Apollo Moon Shot! Von bran and the astronauts got much deserved credit for what they did but it did not masher up to "John Houbolt" contribution! I would like to see a book or a movie about this story of the space race! Thank You John!! Rest in Peace.
July 21, 2014
Neal, Prayers for you and your family. Comfort for your Mom. Articles in Daily Press honored your Dad. Will show to my niece, Eliza, age 14 and nephew, Ryan, 16.
Your father was truly a NASA pioneer.
Blessings to all. Patti Dixon, Hampton
How you can show support
May 17, 2014
RIP
Scott Chamberland
May 3, 2014
Rest in Peace
michelle plakas-kaiser
April 30, 2014
rip
April 29, 2014
My prayers go out to the surviving family and friends may the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such a tragic loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. 2 Cor. 1:2,3.
D Kuykendall
April 28, 2014
Thank you for your contributions to the world !
John Panzer
April 28, 2014
I met Dr. Houbolt as the father of his lovely and brilliant daughter Neil and only later came to fully understand and appreciate the enormous contributions that he made to our quest to reach to moon. My most sincere condolences on his passing.
R&D Hands
April 28, 2014
To the Family of Mr.John Houbolt.
May Gods loyal love comfort you during this difficult time.
Psalms 119:76
John Hawkins
April 27, 2014
Never met the man, but grew up in the 60's with the space race. Recently retired industrial instrument & control technican, thus worked closely with various engineering groups.
Well done, sir, we'll done RIP
William Collins
April 26, 2014
My condolences to the family for their loss. While I did not personally know the gentleman, I read of his remarkable courage and perseverance in pushing for a solution to help America take one of the the many "giant leaps" and land on the moon.
April 24, 2014
My thoughts are with you at this time.....Linda Klott Windy
April 24, 2014
May the God of all comfort be with the family
Donna Williams
April 24, 2014
Sorry for your family's loss. I served your family all the time at cracker barrel. Had to share my condolences.
A
April 24, 2014
To the family, my condolences for your loss, may you all find comfort by drawing close to God. James 4:8
Marlin Stockwell
April 23, 2014
i am soooooo sorry to hear that.
April 23, 2014
My prayers are with his family
N J Bounds
April 23, 2014
May he rest in peace
April 23, 2014
I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE. I AND I KNOW MANY OTHERS LOOK FORWARD TO A TIME WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN RESTORED TO A PERFECT LIFE HERE ON EARTH. AND NO ONE WILL SAY I'M SICK ISIAH 33:24.
Tony Contos
April 23, 2014
May his memory be eternal.
His story is remarkable. This story of persistence will serve as an inspiration for many. The more I learned about John's story during my days supervising the construction of his exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the more I wished I had met him.
When you step back and look at the whole story, the world truly benefited from John's contributions.
April 22, 2014
"Dr. Houbolt will always be an inspiration to Joliet Township".
Zora Baron-Pursell
Leroy Spearman
April 22, 2014
My prayers are with you. I was closely associated with John at the Langley Research Center for many years.
Clara Johnson Pincus
April 22, 2014
Many memories of John from my early childhood perspective in the 50s ( including one occasion of eating fabulous crepes Suzettes he made ). I'm recalling also his kindness to my son who had enormous enthusiasm for making detailed rocket ship cross-sections as a little child, and his great kindness to my parents upon the death of my brother. I can still hear John's vibrant voice and enthusiastic conversation. I came to know how unassuming he was about his many accomplishments. How courageous the whole family, including John, and especially Mary, have all been throughout his illness.
Wilmer "Bill" Reed
April 22, 2014
In December 1960 John and I were coauthoring a paper for publication by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The topic was aircraft propeller whirl flutter. To meet the
publisher's deadline, we often had to work together on it well into the
night, because during the day he would be away doing "business" in
Washington. Little did I know then the nature of that business. Turns out
that John's mission was to change the minds of NASA leaders,
including von Braun, who discounted the LOR approach to landing on the
moon. He did, and the rest is history.
April 22, 2014
Dear Houbolt Family,
I am so sorry for your beloved loss. May God comfort you all in your time of grief. (1Cor 1:3,4)
April 22, 2014
MAY THIS LOSS TURN INTO A BLESSING FOR YOU.MAY IT DRAW YOU CLOSER TO OUR GOD AND CREATOR WHO WILL DO AWAY WITH DEATH FOREVER.."DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW CLOSE TO YOU..JAS.4:8...CONDOLENCE..NORTH CAROLINA
Glenda
April 22, 2014
My condolences to the family during this difficult time. May you be comforted by the love and support of family and friends and throw all your anxiety upon God because he cares for you.
Beverly Geer
April 21, 2014
I remember John as a dear friend and colleague of my late husband, E. Barton Geer, a fellow Iowa native.
Both shared many adventures in their NASA days, especially during the Apollo program. Iris Geer was his secretary for many years. Special memories to cherish. My deepest condolences for the family of a special man.
Beverly H. Geer
Marilynn
April 21, 2014
My condolences to the family of Mr. John Houbolt. May the hearer of Prayer help your to endure this time of sadness and may he give you peace as spoken of at Psalm 65:2. May his memories be a source of comfort to the family.
April 21, 2014
Many prayers are sent to the family of John Houbolt during this sad time. He lived a full life and hope the family remembers the good times they shared with him. Acts 17:31
April 21, 2014
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
PE
April 21, 2014
My sympathy is with the family of your dear love one Mr. John Houbolt in your loss. While mourning the loss of a loved one is difficult, may you find comfort and hope in God's promise at Jon 5:28, 29.
April 21, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Scott Chamberland
April 20, 2014
Rest in Peace
David Macaluso & David Jennings
David Jennings
April 20, 2014
In 1999, I was an engineering student working on my master's degree. I did a major research project on the Apollo program. I contacted Dr. Houbolt at his home in Virginia, and to my absolute delight, he spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me recounting his experience with the Apollo program and his days at NASA. His advice to me was to never stop learning and to help others with their education as well. A genius and a fine person. Our worlds are richer for his life. Blessings on his family.
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