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Larry Freudinger posted a condolence
Friday, February 21, 2020
Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite movies, mostly because of the quote from George Bailey’s guardian angel Clarence: “You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.” While few of us can ever measure up to the fictional George Bailey I believe it’s our purpose in life to at least try - to paraphrase the words of my father - to leave the world in a better condition than you found it.
I discovered today that my NASA mentor and friend Larry R. Felt passed away four months ago, six months after I myself retired from NASA from a career that lasted over three and a half decades. Larry Felt was a far cry from the George Bailey persona but the positive influence he had on my life cannot be underestimated.
I believe it was 1984 when I first met Larry. I was a geeky college student assigned to the structural dynamics group just after the inaugural flight of the experimental X-29A forward swept wing research aircraft. From my newbie perspective the X-29A was the brainchild of Larry and Ken and Keith and Joe (and others), a collaboration of Air Force and Grumman and NASA engineers that were compelled to explore the very edge of what we knew about building and controlling wiggly airplanes. We all knew that the risks were high, and mother nature would put us in our place in a tenth of a second (or less) if we got it wrong. The best flight test program I was ever involved with, surrounded by the upper echelon of engineering skills.
Larry was funny, smart, acerbically witty and sarcastic; decided once that our group should go by the moniker Flutter Analysis Research Team. One of his claims to fame was that he was one of the few people allegedly fired from Boeing twice. Larry loved music from the 1950’s and treated me to countless stories of mis-spent youth over too many Black Russians at the Antelope Valley Inn. A practical joker who once tried (unsuccessfully) to convince me he’d have the secretary sew my ripped jeans if just took them off and handed them over the wall of the bathroom stall. Professionally, he exemplified the value one derives from developing good reading habits, and gave me assignments delivering insights that in turn propelled my career forward.
After he retired we kept in touch, visiting each other occasionally and reflecting in depth via email about fatherhood and other philosophical perches from which wisdom hopefully emerges. Last time we talked he said as any pragmatic engineer of his experience might say that he was “just working through the checklist.”
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. Larry Felt was no George Bailey… but he was my George Bailey. I can’t imagine what my world would be like without his influence.
Rest in peace Mr. Felt. And my eternal gratitude.
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Ken Griffin posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Larry was a seasoned veteran of aircraft flutter and structural dynamics at the Air Force Flight Dynamics Lab when I joined it as a new Second Lieutenant in 1972. He took me under his wing and mentored me for the rest of my career. He was a great engineer and, for me, a great instructor in aeroelasticity. He instructed me in flight testing and the difficulties of modeling unsteady aerodynamics. He always had time for my questions. He was a strong leader in our successful flight testing of the X-29.
He was kind and thoughtful with us and kept an eye out for potential problems in life as well as engineering. Aeroelasticity flight test will always have a vacuum where Larry always contributed. May the Lord heal his infirmities and welcome him to a happy eternity. I will always miss him.
Dr. Ken Griffin
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kwilkie1@optonline.net posted a condolence
Monday, November 11, 2019
Larry and I first met on the X-29 forward swept wing program, at Grumman Aerospace, in New York, where I was employed, and later at NASA at Edwards Air Force base, during the Flight Test program, where Larry was employed, and where I spent 9 months working with him. Throughout these sometimes challenging times we had an extremely good working relationship which continued after retirement, with frequent Skype calls. He was into Brit programs (I’m a Brit), such as Doc Martin. He seemed to know much more about the locations and the actors than me. He was a whiz at searching out info on the internet. I’m really sorry Larry is missing out on series 9, but I hope it is available up there. Larry, thanks for all the great times and conversations we had. You are sadly missed.
Keith Wilkinson.
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John Mansfield posted a condolence
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Larry and I attended Stewart Jr High and Lincoln High schools together and shared several classes. He was always involved in class activities and maintained the Class of 60 reunion page for many years. Soft spoken, I always enjoyed hearing his stories about NASA. We traveled in different circles but kept in touch. My prayers and condolences to his families and friends. May he be at peace always. John Mansfield
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Janet Thomas Wright posted a condolence
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Larry was such an important part of our successful high school reunions. His commitment to the LHS class of 1960 was unwavering and so very thorough. We will miss him always.
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The family of Larry R. Felt uploaded a photo
Friday, November 8, 2019
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