Richard Leh Kline

Richard L. "Dick" Kline, whose thermal systems expertise helped land astronauts on the Moon and shape America's space program across five decades, died on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 92.

Mr. Kline was born in 1933 to Bernard Leh Kline and Elizabeth Walker Kline in Manhasset, NY, later living in Lloyd Harbor, NY, Great Falls, VA, and Kennett Square, PA. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Molly Jones Kline. He is survived by their three children-Eric Kline (Mary Beth Cameron), Barb (Bob) Kline-Schoder, and Ann (Charley) Haney-and four grandchildren: Adam and Alina Kline-Schoder and Sarah and Rebecca Haney. He is also survived by his companion Sachiko George and his sister Ginger (Tom) Waymire and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Yale- and Princeton-educated mechanical engineer, Mr. Kline began his career in 1956 with Grumman Aerospace, where he played a pivotal role in thermal systems for spaceflight just as the space age dawned. His early work on the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory laid the foundation for innovations that would eventually culminate in the successful design and operation of the Apollo Lunar Module. As Program Manager for the Lunar Module's Thermal Shield, Mr. Kline and his team developed pioneering methods to test spacecraft insulation in vacuum environments. He later managed full-scale vacuum chamber tests of the LM in Houston, work for which he was awarded NASA's prestigious Silver Snoopy Award. He rose to become Program Vice President in Grumman's Space Division, leading advanced initiatives for the Space Station, EVA systems, and robotic manipulators.

After leaving Grumman, he directed a landmark National Facilities Study at NASA and was recognized by Vice President Al Gore for his leadership in government reform. He received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for his contributions.

Mr. Kline participated in the International Astronautical Federation for more than 40 years, contributing as chair and co-chair of the World Space Congress Technical Program Committee, Congress Committee, and International Program Committee for more than 9 years and in 2019 was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He was a Fellow and Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics from 1986-1989. He was elected a Fellow of the American Astronautical Society as well.

An advocate for education and interdisciplinary science, Mr. Kline served for nearly two decades on the advisory board of George Mason University's School of Computational Sciences.

Mr. Kline enjoyed playing tennis and skiing with his family. He participated and contributed widely to community life. He served on the Cold Spring Harbor school board and the Lloyd Harbor Village board of trustees and joined committees and boards of various clubs and, in later years his retirement community, Kendal Crosslands in Kennett Square, PA. He was a courageous and optimistic person, genuinely interested in everyone he met and learning more about them.

A memorial service will be held on September 27, 2025 at 11 am in the Penn Room at Kendal Crosslands, 1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Friends Committee on National Legislation or the American Friends Service Committee.