Thorvald E. Mouritsen

Captain, USNR (Retired)

Thorvald Edgar Mouritsen passed away peacefully on August 1, 2010. He was born August 13, 1926 in Waukegan, Illinois to Thorvald and Carrie Christensen Mouritsen.

In 1960 he married Elizabeth Perry Mouritsen of Dallas, who survives him. He is also survived by three children, Karen Elizabeth Mouritsen of Washington, D.C., Mary Mouritsen Henderson and her husband Garland of San Antonio, and Mark Edgar Mouritsen and his wife Jennifer of Austin. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Austin Davis and Benjamin Gordon Henderson of San Antonio, and Melissa Grace and Mae Perry Mouritsen of Austin; his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Edwin Barsachs of Dallas; his brother and sister-in-law Robert J. and Lynn Mouritsen of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and his nephews and nieces Edwin Barsachs Jr. and wife Carla of Dallas, John Mouritsen and wife Kristen of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Carrie Mouritsen Pye and husband John of Third Lake, Illinois, and Christine Mouritsen Fogel and husband Steve of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and numerous other family members.

After graduation from high school, he attended the University of Illinois, until he enlisted in the Navy in early 1945, where he served as an electrical technician on the USS Menard. He received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

He began his professional career at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, then worked at Lockheed Martin, and Chance Vought and LTV (now Lockheed Martin) in Grand Prairie. After retiring from LTV, he returned to General Dynamics in Fort Worth. In his career as a mechanical and aerospace engineer, he was an expert in jet propulsion, infrared counter-measures, and radar evading technologies. He worked on a multitude of aircraft projects, including the B-2 Stealth bomber, F-117A fighter and A-7 Corsair. Earlier in his career he helped design the space suits for the Apollo and Gemini space missions. His research resulted in several patents.

He joined the Naval Reserves shortly after graduation from college and embarked upon a long and successful career in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a Captain after 34 years of service. During his career in the Naval Reserves, he served as the Commanding Officer for a number of units attached to the 7th Fleet and the Naval Reserve Readiness Command. He was a plankholder in the Readiness Command. He served as an informal mentor and advisor to numerous young sailors and officers throughout his career.

He was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where he served as an usher and teller for many years. He was an active member of the Reserve Officers Association, serving in leadership positions at the local, state and national level. For over twelve years, he spent part of each summer in Chama, New Mexico volunteering on the historical renovation of the Cumbres and Toltec narrow gauge railroad. For several years, he volunteered with the North Texas Computer Users Group, installing software for the blind on computers. He served as the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Priory of St. Joan of Arc of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, and was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Naval Reserve Association, the Danish Brotherhood of America, the Dallas Knife and Fork Club, and the Chance Vought Survivors Club.

He traveled extensively throughout the world through his naval career and with his wife Elizabeth. He also enjoyed stamp and coin collecting and attending operas and symphonies.

The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Leach and the staff of the UT Southwestern Medical School for the superb care given to Mr. Mouritsen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, 6005 Osuna Road, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109; the UT Southwestern Medical Foundation, 2305 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, Texas, 75201; or Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75205.

A visitation will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral home on Tuesday, August 3, from 6 to 8 p.m.. A memorial service will be held at Highland Park Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, August 4, at 1 p.m., with a reception at the church to follow.