Dr. Edward Thomas “Tom” Curran, PhD, passed away on February 4, 2020 at the age of 90. He abandoned the maladies of this earthly life and joined his savior, Jesus Christ, in heaven. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Curran, daughters Susan Frascadore of Colorado Springs, CO, and Dr. Christine Curran, MD, of Ann Arbor, MI, son-in-laws Dr. Greg Frascadore, PhD and Curt Zell, and three grandchildren, Nicholas Frascadore, Jacob Zell and Anna Zell. Tom was born in Westham, London, UK on January 13, 1930 to Edmund and Mary “Molly” Curran. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Ron in infancy. While growing up in London during “The Blitz”, he saw the complete destruction of his home during the bombings, and the premature death of his mother due to Tuberculosis. He was evacuated to the countryside on two occasions during the heaviest bombing periods. The chaos in his early life prevented him from attending secondary (high) school, and yet with self-study and natural acumen he was able to enroll at The University of London at the age of 15 at the conclusion of the war. Upon graduation at age 18 with a degree in Mechanical and Civil Engineering, he joined the Royal Air Force. His earliest training in the RAF was as a tailgunner in a Lancaster Bomber, but ultimately had many engineering and command posts around the U.K. He obtained his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering at Cranfield College of Aeronautics in 1954. He rose to the rank of RAF Wing Commander. In 1961, he and his family temporarily moved to Dayton, OH to work at Wright-Patterson U.S. Air Force Base (WPAFB) as part of a two year technical collaboration program. After returning to the U.K. for further years of service with the RAF, in 1969 he accepted a permanent position at WPAFB at which time he and his family immigrated to Kettering, OH. He obtained his PhD (1975) in Aerospace Engineering and Physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He worked directly with the pioneers of jet and rocket propulsion, was granted multiple patents, published many technical articles and texts, and was on the forefront of high-speed flight with focus on ramjet and scramjet engine development. He ultimately served as Director of The Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Research Lab. He retired from his duties at WPAFB in 1998, but soon after joined Universal Technology Company in Dayton where he continued to work until shortly before his death. His many awards and honors during his lifetime included Member of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (1960) and U.S. Defense Dept. Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award (1998). Even in his final weeks on earth, in addition to New Testament commentaries and a cup of tea at his side, he kept a few of his countless calculus and gas dynamics books for study and the furthering of his beloved field of work. A private family burial will be followed by a gathering for friends and family on Saturday February 22, 2020 from 1-4 PM, at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Rd. Dayton, OH 45429. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Kettering Medical Center Foundation, in memory of Tom Curran, 3535 Southern Blvd, Kettering, OH 45429.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5