Ira Grant Hedrick *37

Hedrick received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1936. In 1937, he received a civil engineering degree from Princeton’s graduate department of civil engineering.

Beginning in 1943 at Grumman, he worked on most of the company’s premier aircraft and space programs until he retired in 1993. Hedrick became chief technical engineer in 1957, a board member in 1969, and a senior vice president in 1970.

He was a colleague and teacher to generations of Grumman engineers who looked up to him for his expertise and for his demanding thoroughness on aircraft and space projects. His work on the impact of water on airplanes is still the basis for current building specifications for seaplanes.

At Hedrick’s death, Joseph Gavin, Grumman’s retired president said, “He was the technical conscience of Grumman.” He added that Hedrick’s “insistence on absolute integrity amongst the engineers was the biggest thing.”

Hedrick was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley, and a son. He is survived by his second wife, Tina; another son; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.