Rudolph Saucillo

Rudolph Joel
Saucillo, 52, longtime resident of Newport News, Virginia passed away on November 23, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Martha Saucillo. He is survived by his brother Raymond Saucillo.
Rudy was born on February 25, 1960 and raised in Houston. He attended Texas A&M University earning a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering and the University of Michigan where he gained a masters degree in computer science. Following his childhood dream Rudy dedicated his life to the exploration of space. Over the course of his career he worked for McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and finally NASA which took him to Langley Research Center in Virginia where he was an advanced space system engineer. He made significant contributions particularly in human and robotic exploration activities and had a wide breadth of expertise across multiple missions. His ardent work ethic, leadership and contributions to the NASA mission earned him one of NASA's highest individual awards, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in 2008. His contributions to space exploration and the impact he made to science will be felt long after he is gone.
His greatest contribution, however, was that of son, brother and friend. For those who knew Rudy it is his humor, his laugh and smile, his compassion and loyal friendship that will be greatly missed. Our lives have been enriched and the world a better place because he was here.
A memorial service to honor his life will be held 7:00pm, February 25, at Westbury United Methodist Church, 5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston. A brief commitment service will be held 8:30am, February 26, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association is greatly appreciated.