Hugh Blair-Smith

Hugh Blair-Smith of Dennis, Massachusetts, died peacefully during the midnight watch, in his sleep, aged approximately 88.87.

Born in New York city to Jean Lithgow Blair-Smith and Robert McPhail Blair-Smith, he grew up in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

A curious, precocious, encyclopedia-reading child, his parents understandably shipped him off to Middlesex School at age 11. There he thrived on a strange diet of math, science and theatre.

He graduated from Harvard in 1957 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958 in engineering, but only because the field of computer science was in its infancy, waiting for people like Hugh to discover, create and develop it.

Hugh's contributions to space exploration made an indelible mark on history. Joining the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory in 1959, he was pivotal in the development of the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC), which provided guidance, navigation and control for the lunar missions. His work on the assembler program YUL and the AGC, in which the practicalities closely restricted the size, mass and power draw of the computer, laid the groundwork for future advancements in computer science. Beyond Apollo, his expertise extended to the Space Shuttle and the early phases of the Space Station, showcasing a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and exploration. His book "Left Brains for the Right Stuff: Computers, Space, and History" captures the essence of a remarkable era in space race history.

Any conscious hours left over from all that were largely devoted to boats. In adulthood, friends reconnected Hugh to his childhood love of sailing, which soon became the medium for relaxation, a social life of sorts, and sailing also set the scene for him to be introduced to his wife. A dedicated student, he worked his way through the ranks of the US Power Squadron courses and then, as a natural teacher, devoted many years to teaching classes in coastal and celestial navigation.

Hugh was loved by his family, colleagues, crewmates, students, and many dogs and cats.

Hugh was preceded in death by his mother, father and sister Pamela Detering and is survived by his wife Victoria Blair-Smith, children Robert M. Blair-Smith II and Caroline Blair-Smith, and grandchildren Amelia Blair-Smith and Adam Blair-Smith.

A celebration of life will be scheduled.

Read more about Hugh's life and work:

http://www.thespaceshow.com/show/22-may-2016/broadcast-2706-hugh-blair-smith

http://theorbitalmechanics.com/show-notes/hugh-blair-smith

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/apollos-daring-mission/