THEODORE CULBERTSON MERRITT ISLAND

Theodore (Ted) Culbertson, 83, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Ted was born September 19, 1925 in Pittsburgh, PA to Theodore and Elizabeth (Hayson) Culbertson.

He was predeceased by his parents, older brother, Dave, and sister Phyllis Maher. His remaining sister, Mary Jane Freund, still lives in Pittsburgh.

Ted attended Peabody High School in Pittsburgh and worked as a mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945 as Sonarian 3C aboard the USS Simpson DD221 in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Group Atlantic Theater. He always said they blew up some whales, but no subs.

Ted brought his family to Cocoa in 1958 when he started working for Boeing during the early days of the space program. When the space industry downsized after the Apollo program, he transferred to Seattle, WA, before moving to Huntsville, AL, where he started driving an 18-wheeler. He loved to talk about his days and adventures as a trucker. Ted eventually returned to the Kennedy Space Center and retired in 1991 from USBI where he worked as a supervisor on the Shuttle Booster Refurbishment Program.

He leaves behind and will be greatly missed by his children, Phyllis (Bob) Keuling of Kissimmee, Ted (Beth) Culbertson of Murphy, NC, Ginny Powers of Cocoa, and Debbie (Ed Hanlon) Stanton of Merritt Island. He also leaves three grandchildren, Danielle Powers of Cocoa, Randall Tate and Michael Stanton of Merritt Island, and great grandson Brandon Tresco, Jr, of Cocoa. Ted will be remembered by many other family members in Pennsylvania, California, and Florida, as well as many close friends and residents in the Tropical Villa Park where he lived for many years.

Any donations on Teds behalf may be made to Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice.

Sleep well, Dad. Youll always be in our hearts.