Richard L. Kline *56

Dick died in Kennett Square, Pa., June 21, 2025. He was 92.

Born in Manhasset, N.Y., April 12, 1933, Dick graduated from Yale in 1953 and earned an M.S.E. in mechanical engineering from Princeton in 1956.

He joined Grumman Aerospace in 1956. His work on the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory laid the foundation for innovations that culminated in the successful design and operation of the Apollo lunar module. As program manager for the lunar module’s thermal shield, Dick helped develop methods to test spacecraft insulation in vacuum environments. He later managed full-scale vacuum chamber tests of the lunar module in Houston and was given NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award. As program vice president in Grumman’s space division, he led initiatives for the International Space Station, EVA systems, and robotic manipulators.

After leaving Grumman, Dick directed a national facilities study at NASA and received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for his contributions.

Dick served as chair and co-chair of the International Astronautical Federation’s World Space Congress Technical Program Committee, Congress Committee, and International Program Committee. He also served on the advisory board of George Mason University’s School of Computational Sciences.

Predeceased by his wife Molly, Dick is survived by children Eric, Barb, and Ann, and four grandchildren.

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.