Douglas Robert Lord died on August 20, 2021 at the age of 95. He was born in Binghamton, NY on November 20, 1925 to Alfred Taylor Lord and Hazel English Lord. After the death of his mother when he was eight years old, he was cared for and nurtured by his beloved stepmother, Ila Edmonds Lord. Educated in the public schools, he was then selected for the U.S. Navy College Training Program during World War II and received his Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a commission in the Naval Reserve. He then served in the Naval Air Transport Service as an Air Transport Officer and, after his release from active duty, pursued graduate studies in aerodynamics at the University of Michigan. In late 1947, he accepted a position as an Aeronautical Research Scientist at the Langley Research Center of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), where, for twelve years, he conducted wind tunnel tests of missile and aircraft controls at high subsonic speeds and at Mach numbers of 2, 4, and 6. (The latter included testing of the Mercury capsule). In 1958, the NACA became the nucleus of the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 1960, he was recommended by NASA for a position on the White House Staff, where he served as a technical assistant to the science advisors of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. In this position, he supported technical panels that studied and advised the presidents on space activities.
In 1962, he left the White House and joined the Office of Manned Spaceflight at NASA Headquarters, where for the next decade he directed studies of future manned missions, leading to the successful accomplishment of the Apollo lunar landings and its exploration, and the Skylab missions in Earth orbit. In 1973, he was made the NASA Director for the Spacelab Program, at that time the largest international effort in the history of the space program, which involved ten European countries in developing a manned laboratory that flew successfully in the Space Shuttle many times before it was retired to the Smithsonian. He was awarded both the Exceptional Service Medal and the Medal for Outstanding Leadership by NASA. In 1980, he retired from NASA after the engineering model of the Spacelab had been delivered, but before its actual flights were conducted. As a complete change of pace, for one year he directed the Highroad Program Center, a year-round retreat center and camp near Middleburg, VA sponsored by the Methodist churches of Northern Virginia. Later he returned to the space field by writing a history of the Spacelab Program and serving as a consultant to the Science Applications International Corporation.
Aside from his professional career, Doug was best known for his musical talent and for his dedication to the Methodist Church. He played solo trumpet in school bands, orchestras, community organizations and church ensembles. For many years he sang in church choirs, and later learned to play the English hand bells. In the Methodist churches, he served as a teacher and leader in almost every position within the local church, and on district and conference boards. He was a member and chairman of building committees at three churches and was thrilled when the youth center at Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield, Virginia, was named in honor of him and his wife, Barbara, for their dedicated service there. He spent almost forty years sailing his little Aquacat sailboat, and enjoyed many sports including handball, softball, basketball, bowling, skiing, and golf.
His wife, Barbara White Lord, who he met and married in 1950 at the First Methodist Church in Hampton, VA, predeceased him in 2017. Together, they raised three wonderful children, Susan, of Ashburn, VA, who was married to Ray Oliver until his premature death in 2010; Jim, of Charleston, WV, who is married to Beth Osenton Lord; and Tom, of Millersville, MD, who is married to Martha Murphy Lord. Six precious grandchildren followed, Jason Oliver (married to Meggan Hunt Oliver), Karen Parker, (married to Sean Parker), Taylor Lord, Leah Bonno, (married to Nathan Bonno), Jessica Lord, and Matthew Lord. Then came great-granddaughters, Rachel Oliver, Lillie Lord, Ava Oliver, Molly Parker, and Louise Bonno. This family has given him love and affection beyond measure, and he has been proud of every achievement of each one. He is survived by a sister, Eleanor Stethers, of Binghamton, NY; a brother, David Lord, of New Brighton, MN, and his wife Cindi; and numerous nieces and nephews. One sister, Beverly Lord Rose, and one brother, John Lord, and three brothers-in-law, Frank Rose, Richard Stethers, and Albert Linwood White, III, also predeceased him, as did his sister-in-law, Frances Murray White. The family wants to express its thanks to Sandra A. Stroud, who provided loving companionship to him during his final years. The enduring gifts of friendship from Sandra’s family, along with the care and affection from the staff and residents of Williamsburg Landing, made Doug’s last years ones of peace and comfort.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, Williamsburg, VA at 11 am Thursday, August 26, 2021 for immediate family only due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the Memorial Service will be live streamed on the church’s web site www.williamsburgumc.org and can be viewed by following the Livestream Worship Service link on the webpage. A recording of the funeral will also be available after the service concludes on the church’s webpage.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.
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