Harry Andonian

ANDONIAN, Harry, Ph.D.

February 11, 1924 -

June 20, 2025

Harry Andonian, Ph.D., age 101, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in Canton, Georgia. Born on February 11, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, Harry lived an extraordinary life filled with courage, dedication, discipline, and deep love for his family and country. Born to Armenian immigrants, from a young age, Harry was drawn to the skies. He began his distinguished aviation career during World War II with the Ferrying Division of the Air Transport Command, flying nearly every aircraft in the Army Air Force's inventory during 1944 and 1945. His service included deployment to the China-Burma-India Theater and later participation in the Berlin Airlift. A graduate of the Empire Test Pilot School, Harry became a key figure at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. As Chief of the Special Projects Operations Branch, he led testing for the U-2 program, logging 340 development flights in the U-2A/B/D and conducting evaluations of the U-2C. His work shaped Cold War reconnaissance capabilities. He also served as an F-4 squadron commander in Vietnam, amassing nearly 300 combat flight hours. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1971 with the rank of Lt. Colonel, and ultimately flew more than 27,500 hours in over 300 types of aircraft in his lifetime, including the B-47, B-52, KC-135A, CH-47, and C-141. Following his military career, Harry continued working with E-Systems until 1988, and later served as an FAA-designated pilot examiner. He flew his beloved Beech Debonair regularly until the age of 97. When asked if he'd had a good day, he would tell his grandson, "Any day that I fly is a good day." Harry's distinguished career earned him numerous honors, including the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and induction into the Flight Test Historical Foundation Gathering of Eagles. He was a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a proud member of a generation that pushed the boundaries of aviation. He was inducted into the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, California in September of 2009, one of only 100 honorees. As part of his lifelong love of learning, Harry received his Doctorate in Education in 1992 at the age of 68. Beyond his achievements in flight, Harry was a man of routines, humor, and great heart. He read voraciously, completed daily crossword puzzles in pen, and was known for his expertly made Bloody Marys. He loved movies, stayed sharp with Words with Friends, and remained dedicated to morning exercises and healthy living well into his 90's. He is survived by his five children: daughter, Andrea (Hilary) Griffiths; son, Gary (Suzanne) Andonian; daughter, Leslie (Marc) Andonian-Bouwsma; son, Keith (Kathy) Andonian; daughter Stacy; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was a loving grandfather to Nathan, Nicholas, Tyler, Jason, Ian, Kelli, Daniel and Christopher; and a joyful great-grandfather to Owen, Adrian, Morgan, Lucas, Theodore and Reese. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Bette, his second wife Betty, parents, Barounag and Hanem; and his siblings, Walter, Samuel, Andrew, George, and Rose. A memorial service will be held in Greenville, Texas, at a date to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Flight Test Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 57, Edwards, CA 93523, Amedisys Foundation (Hospice), 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. "To most, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home." Harry Andonian's life was a remarkable flight through history—and love. His memory will forever soar in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.