Victor Vladimir Kirilloff

Victor Vladimir Kirilloff, a Russian American nuclear engineer and loving provider to his family, left his earthly form on April 25, 2022, at the age of 84 after suffering a catastrophic stroke nearly a decade ago.

Victor dearly loved his family, and he is survived by his wife Loree (Littlejohn) and his daughter Victoria V. Kirilloff. Victor lived a fascinating life that began in Detroit, Michigan on January 15, 1938. His parents were Ukrainian and Belarussian immigrants who embodied the American Dream. At an early age, it was apparent that Victor was uniquely gifted intellectually and held a passion for science- especially when it involved blowing things up. Victor received his Master’s in Nuclear Engineering; his graduate thesis was on the application of Langevin’s technique to noise analysis in an infinite one-dimensional, one-speed reactor model.

Victor appeared on the Department of Defense’s radar when he created one of the first life support systems by mechanizing the canary in the coal mine; the government wanted to harness his engineering abilities to help win the Cold War. Thrilled to serve his country, Victor worked on many top-secret projects and was selected to join Lockheed Martin’s legendary Skunk Works division. His projects included the A-12 Oxcart, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Sedan Crater, the ADM-20 Quail, Project Mercury, GAM-87 Skybolt, SM-65 Atlas, and many more. He also worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) creating life support systems. Additionally, Victor was a liaison engineer for the International Atomic Energy Agency and served on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

During the 1970s, Victor transitioned into the civilian world and began inventing products for locomotives and mining equipment. He partnered with Mosebach Manufacturing and patented a high-performing dynamic braking system. Prior to Victor’s innovations, the company was losing $70k a year; under his leadership, the company became a multimillion-dollar operation. In his later years, he founded Victor Engineering and Joules Applications with his daughter, Victoria. They manufactured electrical engineering equipment such as high voltage resistance modules, three phase motor systems, and bed bug heating apparatuses.

Victor never said a cross word about anyone and those who knew him held him in the highest regard. Because Victor strongly believed in education, he was extremely generous and donated thousands of dollars for children who needed assistance with attaining higher learning. Victor was beloved by all, and his loving nature has left a lasting impact on this world.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10am on May 2 at Good Shepard, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln, NE 68516. Victor will be interred at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to the family to be designated to a Ukrainian refugee family at a later date.