| DON
LEFFLER COCOA BEACH -- Don J. Leffler, a retired physicist, died Tuesday,January 16, 2001, at CapeCanaveral Hospital. Mr. Leffler was born on February 12, 1926 inOklahoma.  He
served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. After
leaving the Navy, he obtained his undergraduate degree from the University
of Tulsa and his graduate degree from FSU. He was initially employed by
RCA, a major contractor on the Atlantic Missile Range. In 1959 Mr. Leffler
joined the Navy's Special Programs Office, Naval Ordinance Test Unit
(NOTU), here at Cape Canaveral. Mr. Leffler held a number of engineering
jobs within NOTU, becoming their second chief engineer in 1966. Mr.
Leffler became a charter member of the Department of Navy's Senior
Executive Service upon its formation. He was instrumental in the
development and execution of the United Kingdom's Polaris program starting
with their first launch in 1968. This was followed by the development and
deployment of the Poseidon Missile in the 1970's. Mr. Leffler retired
fromgovernment service in 1981. He is survived by his wife, Colleen
Leffler; and two grandsons, Cameron Laufer, a senior at Purdue University,
and Nolan Laufer, a sophomore at Ohio State University. Their daughter,
Donna L. Laufer, preceded him in death. Mr. Leffler will be buriedat sea.
Beckman-WilliamsonFuneral Home is in chargeof arrangements.
|
