On Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the age of 65, Kristie Ann French passed away. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, on Friday, April 29, 1960, she spent her life loving all and working hard. Her loving and caring heart touched all who knew her. She was an outstanding member of our community, donating her spare time and money to many local charities and organizations. She graduated from The University of Alabama and succeeded with a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering in the year 1983, and went on to have a distinguished twenty-five years and eight-month career at NASA. As a Facility System Safety, Hazard Analysis, Mishap Investigation, and Root Cause Analysis Subject Matter Expert (SME)/Engineer, Kristie made invaluable contributions to the NASA Safety Center (NSC) and the Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) teams across the United States and abroad. Her work saved lives, advanced national safety protocols, and inspired countless colleagues. In recognition of her achievements, she was honored with multiple accolades, including the prestigious NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal in January of 2014.
Kristie was always surrounded by many dear friends who loved her and cared for her. She is an inspiration. A lover of the world. She found immense beauty in the world and was a passionate supporter of the arts. Her presence brought light, compassion, and wisdom to all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband, Laurence Robert French; her devoted daughter, Logan Renee French; her brother, Eugene Kirk Buhmann; and her beloved golden retriever, Lucy.
Deep within our hearts, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary wife, mother, sister, and friend. Kristie was a pillar of strength, kindness, and intellect, and her legacy will endure in the lives she touched, the communities she served, and the love she gave so freely. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her spirit will remain with us always. We will carry on her legacy, ensuring that her contributions to our community and the world are not forgotten.
