NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Angela Storey
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
angela.d.storey@nasa.gov

News release: 08-021


HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – While it may seem basketball and space exploration have nothing in common, one NASA Marshall Space Flight Center employee -- who's a recent State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame inductee -- attributes his success at NASA to his early successes on the court.

In 1948, Robert "Bob" Ryan taught math and science, as well as perfecting layups and two-point shots, as a new teacher and basketball coach at Priceville High School in Priceville, Ala. As coach, he led his team to two Class A State Basketball Championships, four 8th District Championships and two Morgan County Championships in just eight years at the school. But even with a case full of trophies, Ryan said he felt a need to pursue his true "calling" -- engineering.

Sixty years later, Ryan is still using that same dedication and leadership that changed high schoolers into hometown heroes to teach and mentor engineers pursuing their dreams to become champions of discovery. And for giving so much to the field of engineering, he's getting back more than he ever expected -- a coveted spot in the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame honors the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of individuals, projects and corporations or institutions that have brought, and continue to bring, significant recognition to Alabama. Inductees, like Ryan, have made and continue to make significant contributions to the advancement of engineering and technology. By their example, they inspire others to pursue rewarding and challenging careers in all engineering fields.

Ryan joined the 116-member Hall of Fame as one of seven new inductees during a Feb. 16 ceremony in Prattville, Ala., honored for his significant contributions to space exploration since he joined the Marshall Center when it was established in 1960. Though, he says, his success is not something he has achieved alone.

"I feel I can't take this honor by myself because so many people at Marshall have helped me along the way." Ryan said. "My success has truly been a team effort, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame is more credit to my colleagues for helping me reach this pivotal point in my career."

His transition from educator to engineer began in January 1956 when Ryan was first hired by the Army Missile Command and then by NASA in 1960 as an aerospace engineer in structural analysis and control systems analysis. From 1974 to 1989, he served as chief of Marshall's Structural Analysis Division of the Engineering Directorate. Ryan put his coaching skills back into practice in the management and technical direction of 95 civil service employees on the structural design and dynamic analysis of NASA projects. Some of those projects included the space shuttle, Spacelab and High Energy Astronomy Observatories.

The 1990s brought a new decade of technical innovations in space exploration, such as the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, and a new role for Ryan as deputy director of Marshall's Structures and Dynamics Laboratory. He helped plan and direct research and development, engineering and technical management of 400 people in such areas as dynamic environment, control systems and structural dynamics.

As deputy, he guided activities for Hubble – launched from space shuttle Discovery in 1990 -- as well as activities for the design and development of the space shuttle and its elements -- main engine, external tank and solid rocket motor -- and the International Space Station. Ryan's career contributions exemplify the committed workforce that keeps Marshall at the forefront of America's space propulsion and transportation challenges.

Ryan retired from NASA in May 1996, but continues today to mentor new engineers and teach courses as a technical training coordinator with ASRI, a Huntsville-based contractor supporting the Marshall Center. He is also a technical consultant for Lee & Associates, LLC of New Market, Ala. His engineering expertise is crucial on several NASA projects, including the Constellation Program. The program's new launch vehicles, the Ares I and Ares V, are currently under development at Marshall and are playing a critical role in maintaining America's pre-eminence in space.

Ryan's legacy continues. Two of his sons, Rick and Steve, are engineers at Marshall, and three of his grandchildren are following the family footsteps into engineering, as well. He said teaching -- the starting point of his career – is important in helping new engineers continue turning theoretical research here at home into tangible technologies for the future of space discovery.

"In every project I've worked and been involved with across my career, I feel my greatest contribution is teaching engineers the ever-changing technologies and design processes," Ryan said.

"No matter what kind of computer software comes out or high-tech innovations, nothing is more powerful than the creativity of the human mind."

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