JERRY B. HANNIFIN, COCOA BEACH Jerry Bernard Hannifin, 91, died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 18, 2008 after an exciting journalistic career that took him from Alaska to Central and South America for TIME Magazine. During most of his four decades as the magazine's chief aerospace correspondent, as well as specialist on Latin America, he interviewed prominent people such as Igor and Serge Sikorsky, aeronautical geniuses; Milton Eisenhower, the late presidents brother; Kelly Johnson, stealth planes designer; and Fidel Castro. He reported mainly for TIME, but also served as editor of the Spanish edition of LIFE magazine. He collected more awards that fit on his office wall; the Strebig-Dobben Memorial Award for distinguished contributions to the public under standing of commercial aviation and air transport; the Lauren D. Lyman prize for integrity, accuracy and excellence in reporting and writing; the Cecil A. Brown low Award for his aviation articles; as well as numerous awards from the Aviation and Space Writers Association and the National Space Club. Columbia University recognized him with its Maria Moors Cabot award. A native of Boise, Idaho, Hannifin graduated from the city's schools and started his career with Boises Capital News and United Press, right after graduation from UCLAs Berkeley. A private pilot since 1949, Hannifin flew a number of early aircraft as well as the F-18 Hornet fighter jet and the B-52 bomber. More recently, he covered dozens of space shuttle missions from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After years of trying, Hannifin received permission to visit aviation and space installations in the former Soviet Union. He led a delegation of other prominent journalists to the Communist nation, including Star City's cosmonaut training center. He also guest lectured on Soviet aerospace technology at the National War College. Hannifin is survived by his wife, Sue Butler Hannifin, a retired aerospace journalist of Cocoa Beach; a daughter, Consuelo Jacob of CA California; stepdaughter, Penny Bowman, of Massachusetts; and John and Col. (ret.) Pat ORorke of Boise. No services are planned. Ed. Note: Although technically not a "KSC employee/worker", we feel Jerry's contributions to advancement of the Space Program at KSC warranted inclusion in this gathering of dedicated Space program heros.) |
