Joseph Richard Mitchell (Richard) passed away peacefully on Friday, February 2nd, 2024, at his home with his wife of 72 years by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parent Stephen and Elizabeth Mitchell, daughters, Pamela Lee and Sandra Lee Mitchell, two grandchildren Scott Alexander Mitchell and Savannah Leigh Hancock; brother Raymond Mitchell and sister Mary Jane Salansky; and one great grandchild Mark William Adams.
Richard is survived by his wife, Lorna; his children, George Stephen Mitchell and Christy Mitchell Adams; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and two brothers, Paul Henry Mitchell and Stephen J. Mitchell.
Richard was born on April 17, 1931, in Buffalo, New York to Stephen and Elizabeth Mitchell. He was the first of four brothers and one sister. He met the love of his life, Lorna Isabella Mitchell, in Buffalo, New York at a Kresge’s Department store. It was love at first sight. Richard always told people that he met a million dollar baby in a five and ten cent store. They married on June 15, 1951, and had four children.
Richard joined the Air Force in 1951. His service to his country led him and Lorna to Biloxi, MS (Kessler Air Force Base); Thule, Greenland; and Tampa, FL (MacDill Air Force Base) until he pursued a degree in electrical engineering at West Virginia University, graduating in 1959.
They settled in Huntsville, AL where he worked as an engineer at NASA. Over the course of his 40 year career with NASA he contributed key engineering expertise and management to the Saturn V Instrument Unit, Skylab, Apollo Telescope Mount, Spacelab, Hubble Space Telescope. Retiring in 1998 as the Associate Director of Systems Analysis Integration Laboratory (SAIL).
He was an avid reader and remained true to his engineering roots all his life. A favorite hobby was creating for his family numerous clocks, being meticulous in these heirloom timepieces.
Richard will especially be remembered for his wisdom and thoughtfulness that served to strengthen everyone he encountered.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home at 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue, SW, Huntsville, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
