- Herbert A. Lassen Memorial services will be June 19 for former Santa Cruz resident Herbert A. Lassen, a noted spacecraft designer who died Sunday, May 31 at Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove after a long illness. He was 77. A native of Portland, Ore., he attended Van Nuys High School where he graduated with honors and was valedictorian of his class. Mr. Lassen continued his education at the California Institute of Technology and earned his bachelor of science degree, graduating with honors in 1943. He went on to serve as an ensign in the U.S. Navy submarine service, and fought in the South Pacific during World War II. At the end of the war, he returned to CalTech, earning his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1950. He began his career in aerospace at Hughes, then moved on to STL and TRW Space Systems, from which he retired in 1984. He was a Santa Cruz resident for 13 years before moving to Pacific Grove earlier this year. It was while he was at TRW that Mr. Lassen conceived a revolutionary design for spacecraft, using the craft's spin as the means of stabilizing it. The concept was simple and so relatively inexpensive that NASA at first considered the idea unworkable. It took six years for the space program to implement the Idea. Once It was, Mr. Lassen's concept formed the design foundation for Pioneer 10. In addition to Pioneer 10, he designed Pioneers 6 through 9, and 11. One of the space program's most noted acheivements, the Pioneer 10 was launched in 1972. It was the first and only spacecraft to leave this solar system, travel through the asteroid belt and make closeup observations of Jupiter. Data was still received until March 31, 1997, when NASA scientists formally ended the mission because of its dwindling energy source, according to Information by NASA published on the Internet's World Wide Web. However, scientists say they still contact the spacecraft on a "non-interference basis to other NASA projects" for training and tracking purposes. Known as "the Father of Pioneer," Mr. Lassen was honored by his peers in the American Aeronautic and Astronautics Society in 1974. He was given the prestigious Spacecraft Design Award. The society, in bestowing the award, placed his accomplishments "alongside the Jefferson plow, Shaker furniture, the Model-A and CD-3." In addition to his career accomplishments, he was a devoted family man and active volunteer. He served with his church, most recently the First Congregational Church In Santa Cruz. He was also an active volunteer for the Camp Fire Girls, Community Concerts and the Lick Observatory Lab at UC Santa Cruz. He was an avid wood sculptor, sailor and devotee of science fiction. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joanne Lassen of Pacific Grove; three daughters, Chris Lassen-Shore of Bothell, Wash.; Lynn Darnton of El Segundo, and Joan Lassen of Cocolalla, Idaho; one sister, Ruth King of Camarillo; and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz. Memorial contributions preferred to the CalTech Alumni Scholarship Fund at Mail Code 105-40, Pasadena, 91125, or First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz Memorial Fund at 900 High St., Santa Cruz, 95060.
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Om slægterne Brændgaard & Heilesen
1921 - 1998 (77 år)
Nekrolog