Samuel T. Beddingfield (October 28, 1933 – June 13, 2012) was an American test pilot and a pioneering aerospace engineer and who had a long career with NASA during its early manned space programs.
Beddingfield was born in Clayton, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Beddingfield went to work for the the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to conduct flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its fledgling manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral, Florida helping to get Project Mercury started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape.
Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11)), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle Program in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985.
In retirement Beddingfield was an advocate for the space program and was a frequent commentator on local and national TV during shuttle launches. He also contributed to many space history initiatives by NASA or private entities. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994–1996.
He volunteered his time to the US Space Walk of Fame Foundation and served on its board of directors after its inception. He was also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and served on its board. He also volunteered weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.
Beddingfield died on June 13, 2012 in Titusville, Florida at age 78.
During his 26-year NASA career, he received numerous forms of recognition for his service. Among them was the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for both the Apollo and the Shuttle programs. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 from the Florida Committee of the National Space Club.
Obituary:
Samuel T. Beddingfield, 78, of Titusville, FL died on June 13, 2012.
Sam was one of the U.S. space program's pioneers, joining NASA on the advice of future astronaut Gus Grissom while the two friends were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, Sam served as an Air Force flight test engineer on a variety of new aircraft.
He arrived at what later became Kennedy Space Center in 1959, one of a handful of young rocket boys who helped shape the nation's space program. He worked as an engineer on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.
Sam is briefly seen in archival footage used in the 1983 film "The Right Stuff" as Alan Shepard was about to enter the capsule for his historic flight. Sam's contributions to the shuttle program included construction of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility, one of the longest runways in the world.
He retired from NASA in 1985 as the space center's deputy director of space shuttle management. He went on to work as a space consultant for NBC News and for several aerospace companies.
Sam was born in Clayton, N.C., and graduated from North Carolina State. He had a lifelong passion for flight, and was a pilot. He also loved to travel the world with his wife, Barbara. They both shared a love for birds, and Sam served on the board of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association. And until the end of his life he enjoyed playing the piano. Family and friends will always think of him when they hear Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer."
Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara.
Sam was a friend to many and will be remembered for his generous heart.
He is survived by his daughters, Nan Lafferty and Beth Mathis; foster daughter Debbie Ellis; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Titusville. Arrangements by North Brevard Funeral Home. Instead of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville, or to First Presbyterian.
Beddingfield was born in Clayton, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Beddingfield went to work for the the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to conduct flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its fledgling manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral, Florida helping to get Project Mercury started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape.
Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11)), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle Program in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985.
In retirement Beddingfield was an advocate for the space program and was a frequent commentator on local and national TV during shuttle launches. He also contributed to many space history initiatives by NASA or private entities. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994–1996.
He volunteered his time to the US Space Walk of Fame Foundation and served on its board of directors after its inception. He was also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and served on its board. He also volunteered weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.
Beddingfield died on June 13, 2012 in Titusville, Florida at age 78.
During his 26-year NASA career, he received numerous forms of recognition for his service. Among them was the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for both the Apollo and the Shuttle programs. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 from the Florida Committee of the National Space Club.
Obituary:
Samuel T. Beddingfield, 78, of Titusville, FL died on June 13, 2012.
Sam was one of the U.S. space program's pioneers, joining NASA on the advice of future astronaut Gus Grissom while the two friends were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, Sam served as an Air Force flight test engineer on a variety of new aircraft.
He arrived at what later became Kennedy Space Center in 1959, one of a handful of young rocket boys who helped shape the nation's space program. He worked as an engineer on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.
Sam is briefly seen in archival footage used in the 1983 film "The Right Stuff" as Alan Shepard was about to enter the capsule for his historic flight. Sam's contributions to the shuttle program included construction of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility, one of the longest runways in the world.
He retired from NASA in 1985 as the space center's deputy director of space shuttle management. He went on to work as a space consultant for NBC News and for several aerospace companies.
Sam was born in Clayton, N.C., and graduated from North Carolina State. He had a lifelong passion for flight, and was a pilot. He also loved to travel the world with his wife, Barbara. They both shared a love for birds, and Sam served on the board of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association. And until the end of his life he enjoyed playing the piano. Family and friends will always think of him when they hear Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer."
Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara.
Sam was a friend to many and will be remembered for his generous heart.
He is survived by his daughters, Nan Lafferty and Beth Mathis; foster daughter Debbie Ellis; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Titusville. Arrangements by North Brevard Funeral Home. Instead of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville, or to First Presbyterian.
Samuel T. Beddingfield (October 28, 1933 – June 13, 2012) was an American test pilot and a pioneering aerospace engineer and who had a long career with NASA during its early manned space programs.
Beddingfield was born in Clayton, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Beddingfield went to work for the the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to conduct flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its fledgling manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral, Florida helping to get Project Mercury started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape.
Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11)), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle Program in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985.
In retirement Beddingfield was an advocate for the space program and was a frequent commentator on local and national TV during shuttle launches. He also contributed to many space history initiatives by NASA or private entities. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994–1996.
He volunteered his time to the US Space Walk of Fame Foundation and served on its board of directors after its inception. He was also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and served on its board. He also volunteered weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.
Beddingfield died on June 13, 2012 in Titusville, Florida at age 78.
During his 26-year NASA career, he received numerous forms of recognition for his service. Among them was the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for both the Apollo and the Shuttle programs. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 from the Florida Committee of the National Space Club.
Obituary:
Samuel T. Beddingfield, 78, of Titusville, FL died on June 13, 2012.
Sam was one of the U.S. space program's pioneers, joining NASA on the advice of future astronaut Gus Grissom while the two friends were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, Sam served as an Air Force flight test engineer on a variety of new aircraft.
He arrived at what later became Kennedy Space Center in 1959, one of a handful of young rocket boys who helped shape the nation's space program. He worked as an engineer on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.
Sam is briefly seen in archival footage used in the 1983 film "The Right Stuff" as Alan Shepard was about to enter the capsule for his historic flight. Sam's contributions to the shuttle program included construction of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility, one of the longest runways in the world.
He retired from NASA in 1985 as the space center's deputy director of space shuttle management. He went on to work as a space consultant for NBC News and for several aerospace companies.
Sam was born in Clayton, N.C., and graduated from North Carolina State. He had a lifelong passion for flight, and was a pilot. He also loved to travel the world with his wife, Barbara. They both shared a love for birds, and Sam served on the board of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association. And until the end of his life he enjoyed playing the piano. Family and friends will always think of him when they hear Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer."
Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara.
Sam was a friend to many and will be remembered for his generous heart.
He is survived by his daughters, Nan Lafferty and Beth Mathis; foster daughter Debbie Ellis; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Titusville. Arrangements by North Brevard Funeral Home. Instead of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville, or to First Presbyterian.
Beddingfield was born in Clayton, North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University. He graduated in 1956 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
Beddingfield went to work for the the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to conduct flight tests in redesigned airplanes. After three-and-a-half years of aircraft testing, he left to work for NASA in its fledgling manned space program in 1959. Gus Grissom, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, had done flight testing with Beddingfield at Wright-Patterson, and talked him into going to NASA. His first job was at Cape Canaveral, Florida helping to get Project Mercury started, serving as mechanical engineer.
At this time, NASA had 33 employees and five people on contract at the Cape.
Beddingfield was involved in preparing for and launching the two Mercury-Redstone missions and the four Mercury-Atlas missions from 1959 to 1963. Before completion of the Mercury program, Beddingfield was engaged in planning the Gemini program and to some extent, the early planning for Apollo. He was one of few who worked on all three manned space programs at the same time.
After the safe return of the first Apollo moon-landing mission (Apollo 11)), Beddingfield was assigned to the Space Shuttle Program in August 1969. He was the first NASA Kennedy Space Center employee assigned to the program and worked on the shuttle in a number of progressively responsible positions through its first 23 flights. He retired from NASA as the deputy director of shuttle operations in November 1985.
In retirement Beddingfield was an advocate for the space program and was a frequent commentator on local and national TV during shuttle launches. He also contributed to many space history initiatives by NASA or private entities. He served as president of the Florida chapter of the NASA Alumni League from 1994–1996.
He volunteered his time to the US Space Walk of Fame Foundation and served on its board of directors after its inception. He was also a lifetime member of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association and served on its board. He also volunteered weekly at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum.
Beddingfield died on June 13, 2012 in Titusville, Florida at age 78.
During his 26-year NASA career, he received numerous forms of recognition for his service. Among them was the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for both the Apollo and the Shuttle programs. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 from the Florida Committee of the National Space Club.
Obituary:
Samuel T. Beddingfield, 78, of Titusville, FL died on June 13, 2012.
Sam was one of the U.S. space program's pioneers, joining NASA on the advice of future astronaut Gus Grissom while the two friends were stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, Sam served as an Air Force flight test engineer on a variety of new aircraft.
He arrived at what later became Kennedy Space Center in 1959, one of a handful of young rocket boys who helped shape the nation's space program. He worked as an engineer on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs.
Sam is briefly seen in archival footage used in the 1983 film "The Right Stuff" as Alan Shepard was about to enter the capsule for his historic flight. Sam's contributions to the shuttle program included construction of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility, one of the longest runways in the world.
He retired from NASA in 1985 as the space center's deputy director of space shuttle management. He went on to work as a space consultant for NBC News and for several aerospace companies.
Sam was born in Clayton, N.C., and graduated from North Carolina State. He had a lifelong passion for flight, and was a pilot. He also loved to travel the world with his wife, Barbara. They both shared a love for birds, and Sam served on the board of the Merritt Island Wildlife Association. And until the end of his life he enjoyed playing the piano. Family and friends will always think of him when they hear Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer."
Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara.
Sam was a friend to many and will be remembered for his generous heart.
He is survived by his daughters, Nan Lafferty and Beth Mathis; foster daughter Debbie Ellis; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Titusville. Arrangements by North Brevard Funeral Home. Instead of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville, or to First Presbyterian.
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