Dr. Simon Ostrach

DR. SIMON OSTRACH. Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and Retired Director of NASA's National Center for Space Exploration Research, died of age-related causes at his home in Pepper Pike on October 2, 2017. A graduate of the Rhode Island State College (BS and ME in mechanical engineering) and Brown University (ScM and PhD in Applied Mathematics) he was later awarded honorary doctorates from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Florida State University, the University of Rhode Island, and Brown University, He was elected to the American Academy of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, for which he served as Home Secretary for 8 years. It is a rare honor to sit on all three National Academies. A pioneer in microgravity research, he was the principal investigator on experiments on conducted by astronauts on two Space Shuttle missions. He authored more than 140 articles and papers in scientific and engineering journals and volumes and was supervisor of thirty-seven PhD and thirty-one MS theses. He was instrumental in establishing new engineering schools at Rowan University and Florida A&M/Florida State University. In addition to his academic and scientific achievements, Dr. Ostrach was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by four of the five children he raised with his first wife, Gloria: Stefan Ostrach, MA (Marion Malcolm), Naomi Burns (Jeffrey), David Ostrach, PhD, and Judith Hirsch (John), grandchildren: Bayla Ostrach, PhD, Lillian Ostrach Toborek, PhD (Jack), K. Sarah Ostrach, MA, Logan Hirsch and Levi Hirsch and great granddaughter, Jordon. His son Louis H. Ostrach (Sandra) preceded him in death as did Gloria and his second wife, Margaret. A long-time member of Park Synagogue, in his younger days he taught High School and Adult Education courses there, chaired the Education Committee and was honored as "Centerite of the Year". For fun, Professor Ostrach skippered a sailboat out of Edgewater Yacht Club, drove a succession of Corvettes and smoked cigars (before quitting for health reasons late in life). He supported the Case Athletic Department as a donor and faculty adviser to the wrestling team. Remembrances to the National Academy of Engineering, CWRU Wrestling Team or the World Wildlife Federation. Services will be held Sunday, October 8 at 1:30 PM at the Park East Synagogue, 27500 Shaker Blvd. Pepper Pike, OH. Interment Bet Olam Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence 28176 Belcourt Rd. Pepper Pike, OH. SUNDAY FOLLOWING SERVICES AND INTERMENT UNTIL 8 PM. MONDAY 1 PM-5 PM & 7 PM-9 PM.