Dr. ROBERT BEACHAM DILLAWAY

DILLAWAY Dr. ROBERT BEACHAM DILLAWAY (Age 90) of McLean, died June 11, 2015 at Arden Court of Fair Oaks in Fairfax, VA from complications due to Alzheimer''s. He was born on November 10, 1924 in Washington, D.C. to Robert Gardiner Dillaway and Ida Louise (Clark) Dillaway. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Beverly (Hercer) Dillaway. Also surviving are his three sons, Ronald Dillaway, Blair Dillaway, and R. Keith Dillaway; three step-children, Brian Maschler, Lauren (Maschler) Mullen, Theodore Maschler and ten grandchildren. Robert''s first wife Delva Powell Dillaway, preceded him in death. Robert obtained Bachelor''s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Michigan; a Master of Science degree in Physics from the University of Illinois; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois.. He served on the faculty of the University of Illinois, University of California, and Stanford University teaching engineering and fluid mechanics. He authored textbooks on rocket engineering, fluid mechanics, and space systems. From 1953 to 1964 he worked for Rocketdyne/North American Aviation, first as a senior engineer and later as the director of space propulsion systems and made many original contributions to the design of rocket engines, notably for the Atlas program.In 1968 he moved to Northern Virginia to become Deputy Director of the Office of Program Appraisal in the U.S. Navy Secretariat. From 1969 to 1975 he was the Deputy for Laboratories at the U.S. Army Material Command. In 1976 he served as chief of the oversight task team for the Commission on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives. Robert was an active member in the International Federation of Aeronautics ("IFA"), where he served as a US delegate to the IFA World Congress and was a drafter of the first world record rules for manned space flight. Memorial Service to be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 11 AM at Columbia Gardens Cemetery located at 3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 followed by an off site reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert''s name would be gratefully accepted by Capital Caring in Falls Church, VA.Memorial Service to be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 11 AM at Columbia Gardens Cemetery located at 3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 followed by an off site reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert''s name would be gratefully accepted by Capital Caring in Falls Church, VA.