Andrew "Andy" John Stofan, a distinguished NASA leader who guided key space missions and oversaw the initial development of the International Space Station program, died on October 26th in Fair Oaks, VA, at age 90.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1935, Stofan earned a B.A. in math and physics from Hiram College (1957) and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (1958). His career with NASA and its predecessor, the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, spanned over 30 years. He began by working on supersonic aircraft ejector nozzles for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Later, he became an expert in slosh dynamics, a critical aspect of liquid-fuel rocketry. Stofan played a pivotal role in the development of the Centaur upper-stage vehicle. He directed the Titan-Centaur and Atlas Centaur offices (1974 - 1978), responsible for the launches of sixteen missions, including the Pioneer 10 and 11 probes, the Viking Mars missions, and the Voyager probes.
Stofan held positions at NASA Headquarters (1978-1982), including Acting Associate Administrator for Space Science. In 1982, Stofan returned to Cleveland to serve as Lewis Research Center’s director. Stofan brought Lewis through a difficult period of downsizing and budget cuts to the Center’s most successful period since the 1960s. He returned to D.C. in 1986 to serve as the Associate Administrator for the Space Station Office. Stofan reorganized the program and guided it through a lengthy Congressional review process. Following his retirement from NASA in 1988, Stofan continued to contribute to the aerospace industry at Martin Marietta, Analex Corporation, and Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. His notable achievements were recognized with multiple honors during his time at NASA, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1976), the NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1981), the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive (1982), and the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive (1985).
Stofan was a licensed pilot and an avid golfer and skier. He retired to Steamboat Springs, CO in 1998. Stofan served as a Trustee of Hiram College, the International Space University, and the Tread of Pioneers Museum, and was a member of the James A. Garfield Society of Hiram College.
Stofan is survived by Barbara, his wife of 70 years, daughters Lynn Kaplan and Ellen Stofan, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family requests donations be sent to Hiram College or a charity of choice in his memory.
Photo credit: NASA
