Gerald Leroy Burdett

Gerald (Gerry) Leroy Burdett, NASA pioneer, beloved husband, father, and grandfather died on May 4, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan, and four children Laura Burdett and husband Phil Brubaker, Robert Burdett and wife Robyn (daughter Samantha ), Margaret Burdett Matthews and husband Michael Matthews (son Joshua and daughter Jessica), Thomas Burdett and wife Eleanor (daughter Jane and son Max), as well as several nieces, nephews and many others that were thought of as family.

 

 

Gerry dreamt about space from an early age. While attending University of Michigan, he fulfilled that dream in 1956 working at the Upper Atmospheric Research Laboratory, part of the Research Institute. After ROTC he was commissioned in the United States Army and stationed at Fort Meade, MD for 2 years.

 

He joined NASA in it's infancy, and worked on a variety of projects including: NIMBUS (where he developed the first weather satellite camera); ERTS (LANDSAT 1); Apollo; ITOS as Spacecraft Manager; TIROS-M and Solar Max Mission as Deputy Project Manager; and the  Space Telescope (Hubble) as Project Manager at Goddard. In 1969, he received an Exceptional Service Medal from NASA for his contributions to the Space Program. As Senior Staff Engineer on the Space Station Task Force, he collaborated with Senator Barbara Milkulski, to successfully secure funding from Congress for the International Space Station. Jerry continued working in the space arena throughout his career including working at EER Systems, Fairchild Space and United Technologies, where he supported several NASA projects including the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope.

 

Gerry loved to travel and spent many years with his wife, Joan, exploring the US and Canada in their RV. He loved sailing, ham radio, camping, backpacking, traveling, photography, and being part of a long running mens book group, Paper Tigers. He was an Elder and founding member of the Christian Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC) in Bowie, Maryland. 

 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents Alta and Ivan Burdett and brother Donald Burdett.