Thanks to Larry Moon and Gary Bennett for sharing this article chronicling the
life of George Jeffs,
Bill Moon
713-340-1018 ( Home )
281-610-8612 ( Cell )
billmoon1942@xxxxxxxxx
From: Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411) via JSC-nasa-Retiree-Dist
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 7:29 AM
To: JSC-nasa-Retiree-Dist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [JSC-nasa-Retiree-Dist] FW: George W. Jeffs 1925-2019
Thanks to Gary Bennett for sharing the below article on George Jeffs's life and
contributions to our nations manned space programs.
From: usersg4282@
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 3:49 PM
To: Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411) <larry.j.moon@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: George W. Jeffs 1925-2019
Larry,
I assume you saw this e-mail.
Gary L. Bennett
May 29, 2019
Launchspace Training
_____________________________________________________________
George W. Jeffs 1925 - 2019
Marshall H. Kaplan
Bethesda, MD - In the early morning hours of May 25, 2019, George W. Jeffs, an
American space pioneer, passed away quietly after a long illness. He leaves a
wife, three adult children and three grandchildren. The National Academy of
Engineering (NAE) cited him for his pioneering contributions to manned space
flight and leadership of multi-functional corporation teams involved in
advanced technology programs.
Mr. Jeffs is recognized throughout the engineering and scientific community as
one of the chief architects of America's accomplishments in space. He directed
Rockwell's Space Division Apollo command and service modules (CSM) program
through nine lunar missions, three Skylab missions and the joint USA-USSR
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. As president of North American Space Operations he
led the company's efforts on the Space Shuttle Program. In 1986 he was
appointed president and center director of Rockwell International's Strategic
Defense Center, which supported the Strategic Defense Initiative and was the
focal point for all company activities related to advanced defense systems.
Mr. Jeffs began his career with Rockwell International in 1947 as a member of
the company's Aerophysics Laboratory. His engineering aptitude and leadership
qualities were immediately recognized, and he was rapidly promoted to positions
that were to prepare him for the larger responsibilities of executive
management. He was successively section chief, Advanced Engineering; section
chief, Systems Engineering; manager, Corporate Technical Development and
Planning; vice president and program manager, Paraglider program; and corporate
executive director, Engineering. Joining the Apollo team in 1966, Mr. Jeffs
served for three years as assistant program manager and chief program engineer.
In 1969, he was appointed vice president and program manager of Apollo CSM
programs, a position he held until 1973. It was in this role that he emerged as
one of America's foremost engineering executives. For example, he is credited
with developing the concept of realtime management responsiveness, including
the in-flight support of Apollo missions that led to the timely (sometimes
split-second) solution of critical flight problems. In recognition of this
work, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to members of
the Apollo 13 Mission Operations team "for converting a potential tragedy into
one of the most dramatic rescues of all time.'' By stressing sound cost
controls in every area of the Apollo CSM program including more than 10,000
subcontractors and suppliers he also was instrumental in ensuring the greatest
possible return on the government's investment in the manned space program.
Indeed, his cost-ffective development and management of the Space Division's
extraordinary technology has produced substantial contract cost underruns,
without jeopardizing the on-schedule delivery of space hardware. In April 1974,
following a brief period in which he was both executive vice president of the
Space Division and Space Shuttle program manager, he was appointed president of
the division, a post he held for two years. As president, he directed the
efforts of technical teams involved in producing systems and hardware for
programs ranging from the Shuttle system integration and orbiter to the
unmanned Navstar Global Positioning System. This system made available to
military and civilian users throughout the world the navigation and timing
information that enables them to locate their positions within tens of feet.
In April of 1976, Mr. Jeffs was appointed a corporate officer of Rockwell
International, accountable for directing the corporation's space transportation
system, the space operations satellite systems, and propulsion divisions. The
purview of his responsibilities encompassed the Space Shuttle system
integration and operations, development of the Shuttle orbiter and Space
Shuttle main engines, together with major launch vehicle propulsion engines and
advanced space engines, solid rockets, laser programs, development of advanced
navigation, surveillance and communication space systems, development of
waterjet engines, and other advanced technology programs.
In September 1978, Rockwell placed the company's space, propulsion, aircraft,
and energy business into a single organization known as the North American
Aerospace Operations, and Mr. Jeffs was named president of that operation. In
addition to the space and propulsion technologies, this appointment expanded
his leadership into energy and aircraft operations.
Mr. Jeffs' contributions to the space program have been acknowledged at the
highest levels of government. In addition to his NAE appointment, he has
received numerous presidential and congressional awards and letters of
commendation. Of the awards and honors that reflect his performance, he has
received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal twice (highest award given to
persons outside the government), the Presidential Medal of Freedom, NASA Public
Service Award, NASA Certificate of Appreciation, Apollo Lunar Science Community
Award, NASA Associate Administrator Commendation, National Space Club's
Astronautics Engineer Award, the National Management Association's Golden
Knight of Management Award, and the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Trophy.
Mr. Jeffs, a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA), received its 1986 Elmer Sperry Award for his significant personal and
technical contributions to the world's first reusable space transportation
system. Finally, he received the AIAA's 2003 Goddard Astronautics Award.
Mr. Jeffs received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in aeronautical engineering from
the University of Washington. He was named the university's Department of
Aeronautics and Astronautics distinguished alumnus in 1980, and in 1985, he was
honored with the prestigious Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus award from his alma
mater.
Mr. Jeffs was born on March 9, 1925, in Stockton, California. The oldest of his
three children, Georgia Marie, is my loving wife.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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