John E. O'Brien *66

John O’Brien, former general counsel of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), died Oct. 24, 2012. He was 80.

O’Brien graduated from Niagara University in 1953, and, after Army service, earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1957. After a short while in private practice and then at the Department of the Navy, he joined NASA in 1962.

He served in several capacities before becoming NASA’s general counsel in 1985. In this position, he was responsible for all legal matters involving the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. He was then with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson before returning to NASA in 1989 as deputy assistant administrator. He retired in 1992.

During the academic year 1965-66, O’Brien was a mid-career fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School. This non-degree visiting student program now is known as the Princeton Fellowship in Public Affairs.

O’Brien is survived by Ann, his wife of nearly 56 years; six children; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two daughters.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.