Space shuttle designer Royal Englehart Jr. passes away

DOWNEY - Royal Castle (Cas) Englehart Jr., born Feb. 10, 1918, passed away Monday at age 94.He was born in Pennsboro, West Virginia, to Royal Castle Englehart Sr. and Elva Calhoun Englehart. He is survived by a son, Roy (Kathy Jo); daughter, Coreen (Jack) Fuller; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren, with a 19th due in December. His wife of 59 years, Hilda Faye, preceded him in death, as did brothers Frank, Joe, Larry and sister Betty. Cas moved his family from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to Downey in 1950. He helped design the space shuttle, Apollo, B-1 and many other aircraft, and received seven design awards from NASA and Rockwell, along with a special medallion coin carried on man's first trip around the moon on Apollo 8. He also received a plaque signed by astronaut Frank Borman. He retired after designing the shuttle windshield. Cas designed his own home and also a brace to support drop foot caused by polio. He was secretary and treasurer for Lucky Strike 3 Co. for 38 years, and volunteered on many church committees and repaired items for the Assistance League of Downey.

********** Published: November 8, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 30