Richard Edward Kramer

Rich was raised in a log house in historic Ilchester, Maryland, where he attended St Mary's School. He and his family relocated to Orlando, Florida, in 1957 where he graduated from Bishop Moore High School in 1960. Rich met his wife of 59 years in 1960 on a blind date.

He began his career in the space industry at Martin Company of Orlando and became an accomplished engineer, project manager and inventor with Fairchild Industries (later Orbital Sciences) of Germantown, Maryland. He was awarded numerous patents which included an innovative heat-shielding paint and multiple satellite array deployment mechanisms. His partnerships with NASA, the Air Force and multiple national and international universities spanned 50 years and included work on an uncountable number of spacecraft. His work was integral to the success of such missions as the Hubble Telescope, Cassini, Juno, and the early generations of GPS. Rich is considered one of the leaders of mechanical systems in space and is very highly regarded within the space community, both as an engineer and as a person and friend.

In his spare time, Rich and his wife built two houses in Maryland and Florida. He also built a 1931 Ford Model -A antique automobile from re-claimed parts. He also built an experimental airplane, re-conditioned and restored a 21 foot wooden sail boat as well as restoring antique clocks and furniture. Rich was a member of the Fairchild Bowling League and the American Antique Automobile Association. He was a lifetime member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

He is survived by his wife Lynn DuBeau Kramer; his children Allison Walter (John Walter), Todd Kramer (Jeff Warhaft), and Mark Kramer (Elaine Kramer); his grandchildren Kaley Kramer, Megan Kramer, Colin Lee Kramer , Evan Lee Kramer, and John Walter, Jr; his siblings Herman Kramer IV, Robert Kramer (Barbara), Carol Harris (John), and Michael Kramer (Deb); many nieces, nephews and cousins. Private funeral services will be held in Florida. Donations can be made in his name to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com for the Kramer family.