Eugene Ivyl Kirkland (2006)

KIRKLAND

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/13/2010 at 18:36:40

The Huntsville Times, Huntsville, Alabama
Sunday, March 5, 2006

Died Feb. 27, 2006

Eugene Ivyl Kirkland, 90, also known as "Rosebud" and best remembered as a former staffer/engineer to the Von Braun Rocket Team died peacefully Monday in Montgomery.

He served a nation through the great depression as a young Iowa farmer, as an inventor, mechanical engineer, later as a WWII Veteran and ultimately as a pioneer in the space age until his retirement from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in 1987. Mr. Kirkland began his work as a rocket scientist apprentice alongside the Von Braun Team at Fort Bliss, Texas after WWII. He enjoyed working with various astronauts, rocket scientists, and fellow engineers throughout his service to NASA. Remembered by his friends and family as a dedicated worker and a skilled communicator with wit, wisdom and dry humor. Mr. Kirkland was another foot soldier in the greatest generation that stood for the promise of keeping America great for future generations and the promise that America would always stand tall. He was a member of Mayfair Church in Huntsville, the Elks, the American Legion, Von Braun Astronomical Society, NASA Old timers, and supporter of the Alabama Space and Rocket Center.

He was predeceased by his wives, Dorothy Plumb and Dorothy Cottrell.

He is survived by his daughter, Louise K. Medley and son-in-law, Jerry M. Medley, of Montgomery; his son, William A. Kirkland II, Esquire and daughter-in-law, Michelle H. Kirkland, N.P. of Montgomery; Mr. Kirkland has one grandchild, Meredith Vickers, M.D. of Birmingham by his daughter, Louise.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on March 11, 2006 in the fellowship hall of Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice or the Alabama Space and Rocket Center. Leak-Memory Chapel in Montgomery is directing.

Note: Mr. Kirkland was born in Madison County, Iowa, the son of William Anderson and Lula Mahala (Iiams) Kirkland.