It is with great sadness that I announce that Rick Hurtz, principal aerospace engineer at the UC Santa Cruz University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) at NASA Ames, passed away on Friday, September 12th.
Rick’s most recent assignment was as the lead systems engineer for the Resource Prospector mission. While here at Ames, Rick provided expertise on development and testing of the LADEE projects' advanced technologies, capabilities and subsystem development that allowed utilization of the Ames Common Spacecraft Bus for future lunar, planetary, and asteroid lander missions.
He had vast knowledge and hands-on experience in spacecraft technology/mission research analysis, small and micro space vehicle systems and subsystems, hypergolic space vehicle propulsion system application, testing, operations and performance as well as spacecraft systems engineering. As an aeronautical engineering graduate from Cal Poly and project manager, Rick worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base, for SPARTA, Spiral Technology, and as an aerospace consultant before joining the UARC.
All who knew Rick will miss his charm, laughter, and sense of humor. He was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with everyone and especially enjoyed serving as a mentor to young engineers in his field.
A celebration of life is planned for Wednesday, September 17th at 10 a.m., Callaghan Mortuary, 3833 East Ave., Livermore, Ca. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
