Dr. George Francis McDonough Jr. died peacefully on Tuesday surrounded by family. Eldest son of George and Domenica McDonough, he was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Louise Guthrie McDonough, his eldest son, Michael, and his brother, Charles. He is survived by his children, Kathleen McDonough Anderson, Thomas McDonough, and Daniel McDonough; his grandchildren, Kenneth Anderson (Katherine), Stephanie Anderson Weseli (Thomas), and Scott Anderson (Hillary); and his great-grandson, Henry Anderson.
After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he returned to his hometown of Lisle, Illinois, and graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1948. He earned a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from Marquette University in 1953. During this time, he also served with the US Navy in the Korean War. He then earned a Master’s and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1956 and 1959, respectively. He was an assistant professor at the University of Illinois, then an associate professor at San Jose State College. He then worked for the Rand Corporation, E.H. Plesset Associates, and United Aircraft in California. In 1963, he brought his family to Huntsville, joining Marshall Space Flight Center as Chief of the Structural Dynamics Section, Aero-Astrodynamics Lab. He worked on programs including Apollo and Skylab and served in key management positions within the Science & Engineering Directorate, including technical assistant to the Director; Director, Environmental Applications Office; Deputy Director, Data Systems Lab; and Deputy Associate Director for Engineering, S&E. He was selected to Senior Executive Service in 1980 and received many professional awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership, and Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive by President George H.W. Bush. He retired in 1995 as Director of the Science and Engineering Directorate of the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Following his career at NASA, he was involved in many charitable causes, serving as President of the Optimist Club of Huntsville and Chairman of the Board & Vice President at the Huntsville-based Center for Aging. He also spent many days boating with his family and was Commodore of the Whitesburg Boat and Yacht Club.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, November 1 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow in the chapel with Dr. Glenn Conner officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Optimist Club of Huntsville (P.O. Box 2230, Huntsville, AL 35801-2230).
