• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Michigan Aerospace Engineering
  • News & Events
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Contact Us
  • About
    • Message from the Chair
    • Mission
    • History
    • Facts & Figures
    • FXB Building
    • Department Publications
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
    • Faculty Search
  • Culture
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources
    • Outreach & Partnerships
    • Student Life
    • Student Teams & Projects
    • Student Organizations
  • Research
    • Research Areas
      • Aerodynamics & Propulsion
      • Autonomous Systems & Control
      • Computation
      • Space Systems
      • Structures & Materials
      • Sustainable Aviation
    • Shared Facilities
    • Multidisciplinary Centers
    • Research Opportunities for Students
      • Graduate Research
      • Undergraduate Research
  • Undergraduate
    • Program Overview
    • Admissions
    • Degree Requirements
    • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad
    • Co-ops & Internships
    • Current Undergraduate Students
      • Declaring
      • Advising
      • Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) Program
      • Undergrad Courses
      • Teaching Labs
      • Undergrad Awards
  • Graduate
    • Master of Science in Engineering
    • Master of Engineering
    • Doctor of Philosophy
    • Admission Guidelines & Planning
    • Application Process
    • Funding
    • Current Graduate Students
      • Grad Courses
      • Aero 590 Projects
      • Grad Awards
  • People
    • Faculty
      • Core Faculty
      • Research Faculty
      • Adjunct Faculty
      • Emeritus Faculty
      • Affiliated Faculty
    • Staff
    • News & Events
    • Alumni & Friends
    • Contact Us

Michigan Aerospace Remembers the late Richard Passman

Mr. Richard Passman (BSAE ‘44, MSAE ‘47) had a prolific, wide-spanning career in the field of aerospace engineering, working with companies such as Bell Aircraft and General Electric, and making significant contributions to United States aircraft, spy satellites, and missiles. He passed away on April 1st, in Silver Spring, MD at the age of 94.

Written by: Michigan Aerospace Engineering

May 1, 2020

Michigan Aerospace Alumnus Mr. Richard Passman (BSAE ‘44, MSAE ‘47)

Passman played a key role in several government projects, some of which were classified for decades. “Corona,” the first spy satellite, took high resolution photographs at high altitudes and ejected the film in a bucket going back down to earth. Passman and his team worked on the intricacies of keeping the bucket at a low enough temperature so that the film would survive the fall. As the general manager of space activities at G.E. for years, he specialized in these types of efforts to create heat shielding technologies for intercontinental ballistic missiles and multiple war-head missiles. 

In retirement, Mr. Passman volunteered to work at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum alongside his colleague and the curator of the museum, John D. Anderson.

Mr. Passman is survived by his three children, William, Henry and Don, his wife Minna Passman, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed.


MEDIA CONTACT

Michigan Aerospace logo

Michigan Aerospace Engineering

Communications Team

ae-social@umich.edu

Explore: Aerospace Engineering Alumni Campus & Community

Footer

Michigan Engineering
  • News & Events
  • Giving
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Contact Us
  • U-M Engineering Home
  • Strategic Vision
  • Graduate and Professional
  • Undergraduate
  • U-M Engineering Research News

© 2023 The Regents of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Campus Safety

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube