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Memorial Tributes Volume 23 (2021) / Chapter Skim
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DONALD P. HEARTH
Pages 142-147

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From page 143...
... Born August 13, 1928, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Don often said that in his early life there, "my father always had me busy and working -- my first job at the age of 6 was helping him deliver milk in a horse-drawn wagon." As with many who grew up in that era, work and making one's own way in life were a major part of their early lives. Don married Joan Hall Smith in 1950 and graduated the follow­ing year from Northeastern University with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
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From page 144...
... The new and rapidly expanding NASA called Don back to the agency in 1962 to manage the Advanced Lunar and Planetary Programs. In 1967 he became director of NASA's planetary exploration programs and initiated programs to explore Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter.
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From page 145...
... He was also very proud of his wife's work in literacy education in the communities where they lived, and the fact that, in the late 1950s, she quickly joined the emerging feminist movement to improve opportunities for women, especially in education. Joan was not only a driving force in the early women's movement but also a major influence on Don.
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From page 146...
... 146 MEMORIAL TRIBUTES Don was a gentleman, a dedicated family man, a community leader, a passionate supporter of education and public broadcasting, and an ardent advocate for basic research in science and engineering. In addition, he treasured, and was seldom seen without, his straight-grain bent pipe -- often unlit but still in his right hand.
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Key Terms

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  • opportunity council
  • service medal
  • planetary programs
  • station program

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  • called don
  • improve opportunities
  • aeronautics technology
  • nasa langley

  • emerging feminist
  • nasa goddard
  • married joan
  • lewis flight
  • don retired

  • rapidly expanding
  • joan hall
  • laboratory work
  • leadership successes
  • feminist movement

  • langley laboratory
  • project management
  • died september
  • advanced space
  • advanced lunar

  • nasa called
  • space flight
  • dedicated founding
  • alumni award
  • initiated programs


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