August Richard ‘Dick’ Felix, Sr. passed away on March 28th at the age of 91. He was born on March 1, 1927 in Chandlerville, Illinois to August ‘Gus’ Guenther Felix and Hester Mae Murphy Felix.
After growing up in Montgomery, Dick graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1945. He continued his education at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity as well as a member of the marching band and orchestra. He graduated in 1948 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Dick began his engineering career with NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. In Hampton, he met his future wife, Dorothy Douglas, and they married March 30, 1956. After working at NACA for ten years, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama where his career took him to Redstone Arsenal. With the establishment of NASA in 1958, Dick was the Chief of the Experimental Aerodynamics Branch in the wind tunnels at Marshall Space Flight Center until his retirement in 1986. He also served as the President of the Supersonic Tunnel Association. After his retirement from NASA, he worked for Nichols Research for the next 10 years.
Dick always loved music and was a longtime member of the Huntsville Community Chorus where he served as President of the Board as well as being a singing member of the chorus. He was involved with their musical productions, whether being an onstage cast member or helping build sets for a production.
He was also passionate about Auburn football and loved keeping up with the recruiting news each year!
Dick and Dot were charter members of Covenant Presbyterian Church where through the years he faithfully served as a Trustee, Elder, choir member, and Chairman of various committees.
Mr. Felix was preceded in death by his parents and his son, August Richard ‘Rick’ Felix, Jr.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Dorothy ‘Dot’ Douglas Felix; daughter, Karen Felix Barganier (Paul) of Vestavia Hills, AL; daughter-in-law, Cami Jones Felix; grandchildren, Reed Barganier (Angie), Becca Barganier Brown (Tommy), Callie Barganier Hanahan (Gil), Katie Felix, Mary Leigh Felix, and Emily Felix; and great-grandson Thomas Barnes Barganier.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 31 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with a Memorial Service following at 3:00.
The family would like to express their gratitude to his caregivers at Harbor Chase, Whitesburg Gardens, and Comfort Care Hospice.
Memorials may be made to the music department at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 301 Drake Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35802.
