Dr. William R. ‘Randy’ Humphries, 81, of Huntsville, AL, passed away at his home on Monday, February 26th. He was surrounded by his loving family until the end.
Randy devoted his professional life to NASA where he was an expert in thermal dynamics and life support systems and played an integral part in engineering Skylab, the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He retired from NASA in 2000 as the Director of Structures and Dynamics Lab at Marshall Spaceflight Center in Huntsville.
Throughout his life he enjoyed tennis, golf, fishing, softball, movies, reading, history, watching the Dallas Cowboys and spending time with his family. An aeronautical engineer by trade, he was always curious and constantly eager to learn about the world around him.
Randy leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Joyce Humphries, whom he loved unconditionally, his son, Randy Humphries Jr. and his two daughters, Sissy Humphries-Traylor and Terri Nabors; four grandchildren, Jase Traylor, Jessalyn Traylor-Trujillo, Trista Nabors and Kinsey Nabors; a loving group of sons and daughter-in-law; as well as many NASA colleagues he loved and called friends.
He was a blessing and a gift.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville. A ceremony celebrating his life will follow in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
