Michael Rutkowski

Rutkowski, Dr. Michael J. Sr.; a retired NASA aerospace engineer and former resident of Dearborn, MI, died September 10, 2014, in Santa Clara, CA, of thyroid cancer at age 70. A graduate of Dearborn High School, Michael earned degrees from the University of Michigan College of Engineering and a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University School of Engineering. At NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, he was involved in several Apollo lunar missions, analyzing module structures. With a focus on helicopter research, Michael became assistant division chief of the Army/NASA Rotorcraft Division at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA and retired in 2013 as National Rotorcraft Technology Center Director at Ames. Predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Cecilia Rutkowski, Michael is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Jonathan and Michael (Dr, Jinny Chang) Rutkowski; grandsons, Hunter and Ethan; and sister, Barbara Rutkowski, of Troy, MI. Services held in CA. Michigan memorial service to be held at a later date.