David Lee Bacchus passed away on June 10, 2026, at the age of 87. A long-time resident of Huntsville, Dave was born in East Point, Georgia on July 24, 1938, to parents Paul M. Bacchus and Stella M. Bacchus.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Butler Bacchus; children, Mark Bacchus and Paula Bacchus Vickrey; grandchildren, Laura Bacchus, Ben Vickrey (Meredith), Rachel Bacchus-Bell (Jake), and Amy Vickrey; niece, Dayna McNeil (Rick); nephew, Mike Morrow (Laura); and sister-in-law, Sherry Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Stella Bacchus; brother, Paul Bacchus Jr.; sister, Barbara Morrow; and his daughter, Jana Bacchus.
Dave attended the Georgia Institute of Technology earning B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He began his 38-year career as a co-op with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency and later with NASA. He had the good fortune to be able to work on the Redstone, Jupiter, Jupiter-C, and Pershing missile development while with the Army, and on NASA launch vehicle programs including the Mercury Redstone, Saturn 1, Saturn 1B, Apollo Saturn V, and finally the Space Shuttle, which he described as a very opportune and rewarding time. The high point of his career was the landing of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module.
Dave most valued his time with his family, church, and community by serving as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Our lives are forever changed by having known and loved him, and by his love for us. We are comforted by the assurance that he is now in the healing arms of his Savior. We will always be grateful for the abounding support from the community of friends who sustained us during difficult times.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd, Huntsville, AL 35802.
