Betty Loomis-Lanz

On the morning of May 18, 2013, in the early morning hours, Gods Angles escorted Betty Lanz from this life to be with her loving Savior, Jesus. It is comforting to know that she did not suffer in her passing and that she went with the knowledge that her two sons loved each other and her very much. Betty Eileen Fish was born on January 10, 1929 to Raymond and Pearl Fish in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Betty is survived by her brother Carl Fish and two sons, Gerald Mulchin, Richard Mulchin, and four grandchildren; Doug, Kimberly, Scott, and Benjamin. For many years Betty worked for various national defense and aviation companies. During her years as a NASA employee at Edwards Air Force Base, circa 1956 to 1960; Bettys office was right across the hall from the test pilots dressing room. Neil Armstrong, Chuck Yeager, and many other test pilots would sit on her desk and chat with her. After the test flights the recordings of the flight, known as the SQUAWK , were given to Betty and she typed everything said into a report. Betty didnt think that what she was doing was of much importance, however, Mr. Paul Raveling, a docent at the Aerospace Museum of California replied to an email her son Richard had sent to him with the following message: I'd like to be sure you and your mom know how valuable her contribution was in the records of X-15 history. Please pass on my appreciation to your mother, she and many others did an enormously valuable service for all of us who are (still) interpreting X-15 history. This reply was read to Betty by her son, Richard, two weeks prior to her passing. She was so thrilled to know that after all these years, her work at NASA had and still has value. She played a small but very important roll in our countrys effort to get a man into space and on the moon. In addition to NASA, Betty worked for the Convair Division within General Dynamics. While working for North American Aviation's Autonetics Division in Fullerton, CA, as a typist she typed the Government contracts for the Minuteman ICBM missiles and later as she worked for North American Rockwell Corporation she typed Government contracts for the B-1 and B-1B Lancer four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber. An interesting point here is that the Autonetics office building she worked in became her church when Eastside Christian Church purchased the building. After retiring Betty learned how to paint with oils and she became a very accomplished artist. Her favorite artist was Robert Kincaid and she enjoyed reproducing Mr. Kincaids paintings of small cottages and chapels. Since the early 1960s Betty played the electric organ and she has had an organ in her house right up to the end. Betty had many Christian friends and she was loved and respected by all; now she will be missed by all those who her life has touched; but each person will be comforted by the knowledge that she will be with her Savior waiting for everyone else to join her. Memorial service to be held Wednesday 05/22/2013 3 PM at McAulay & Wallace Chapel Fullerton.