Charles Joseph Donlan

Charles J. Donlan, 95, died peacefully on September 28, 2011, at Patriots Colony in Williamsburg. He was born July 15, 1916 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Following his graduation from MIT in 1938 with a degree in aeronautical engineering, he moved to Hampton and took a research staff position at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) predecessor to NASA. He worked at Langley for 30 years, and was Deputy Director of the Langley Research Center at the time of his move in 1968 to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. He lived in Alexandria, VA from 1968 to 1998, at which time he and his wife moved to Virginia Beach, and later in 2005 to Williamsburg.

While a resident of Hampton, he was a member of the Hampton Rotary Club and the Engineers’ Club of the Virginia Peninsula. He was involved in Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities, coached Little League baseball, and served as a member of the Peninsula Airport Commission, representing the City of Hampton from 1961-1968. He and his wife were founding members of St. Rose of Lima Church in Hampton.

He held several positions at the Langley Research Center dealing with aeronautical research. In 1958, he became an original member of the Space Task Group established to implement the first manned space program. He served as Associate Director of the Space Task Group, where he was involved in developing the organizational and technical concepts for Project Mercury, including astronaut selection and training, and developing the original technical concepts for Project Apollo. From 1961-1968, he served as Deputy Director of Langley with major responsibility overseeing the Center’s aeronautical and space activities. He moved to NASA Headquarters in 1968 as Deputy Associate Administrator (Technical), Office of Manned Space Flight. He served as the First Director of the Space Shuttle Program from 1970-1973.

He retired from NASA in 1976, later serving as a consultant to the Institute for Defense Analysis. He also served as a member of the NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel from 1983 to 1994.

Mr. Donlan was the author of many reports relating to aeronautical and space research. He is the recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and Exceptional Service Medal, and twice received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Aeronautical Engineering from Ohio Northern University in 1972. He received the Randolph Lovelace II Award from the American Astronautical Society in 1976, given in recognition for outstanding contributions to space science and technology, and was awarded the Eugen Sanger Medal from the German Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1977. He was a Fellow of the American Astronautical Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

He had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid reader, primarily non-fiction and history. He enjoyed classical music, and in later life, country music. He enjoyed performing home repair, and enjoyed a well organized workbench throughout his life. He loved any family activity, enjoyed all sports, and was a long time student of the game of golf.

He was predeceased by his son, Richard M Donlan, killed in Vietnam in 1968, and his wife, Marguerite P. Donlan; he is survived by his son, Charles J. Donlan Jr. and wife Mary, of Williamsburg; three grandsons, Richard M. Donlan II, and wife Jessica, of Seattle, Washington, Charles J. Donlan III of Midway, Utah, and Matthew Laine Donlan and wife Danby, of Charlotte, North Carolina; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to visit on Monday, October 3, from 3-5 pm at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church , 3686 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Colonial CASA, 1311 Jamestown Road, Suite 201, Williamsburg, VA 23185.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.